Hey Kids, Comics! #274 - Minority Report

Welcome to an issue of the show over 200 issues in the making.  And one of the most challenging.  This week your hosts Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston set their sights on ethnicity in comics. 

Ethnic minorities have been more marginalized than celebrated in over 100 years of comics, at least until more recently.  The range of good, bad, and especially stereotypical portrayals of characters is a weighty subject to tackle, but Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston set out to do so with a frank approach that looks back at an often awkward history.

From inflammatory, often racist images to the rise of ethnically diverse characters, the evolution of race portrayal in comics proves a fascinating journey for your hosts as they come to grips with how the medium has failed or succeeded in developing minority characters in mainstream comics.

Hey Kids, Comics! #273 - Nocked Up

JediCole loves a good turn of phrase!  And in the case of the latest issue of Hey Kids, Comics!, the subject matter lent itself beautifully to one such that made this one of the top titles for the series in over 250 episodes for Andrew Farmer!  What better way to launch a discussion of the various archers in comic books?

From obvious long-time favorites to some of the more obscure masters of bow and arrows, this week's issue hits bulls-eye after bulls-eye as your hosts draw on decades of archery enthusiasts from various publishers. 

So fill your quiver and string your bow, it's time to hit the virtual range and "nock out" a lively discussion of the history of archery in comics and indeed the world!

Hey Kids, Comics! #272 - Reynolds Rap

While it's been up on Podbean for a few days, this issue of the show was a bit slow arriving to The JediCole Universe due in large part to unforeseen headwinds.  Little wonder since it is the show in which Andrew "Sugar Bear" Farmer and Cole "Pretend Super-Powers" Houston talk about Ryan Reynolds and Deadpool!

This week your hosts are joined by Wonder Twin Powers Activate Show co-host Aaron Prado!  With three comic and film aficionados on board, you can certainly anticipate some in-depth coverage of Reynolds' journey from the dreadful rendition in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" to the Deadpool of your dreams in two hit solo films.

To call this issue "Spoiler Rich" would be an understatement, so if you haven't seen Deadpool 2 (or Deadpool for that matter), go see this movie (these movies) then return for the show!  Screening the first movie to feature Deadpool is not really a requirement of course.

Hey Kids, Comics! #271 - Rogue-ish I's II: Tangled Web Part 5: Bugle Boy

The time has come at last to reveal the headline-worthy mystery villain that the Rogue-ish I's II storyline has been building toward for the past four issues.  Yes, the most vile, obsessed, and untouchable nemesis of Spider-Man is none other than his alter-ego's boss, J. Jonah Jameson!

Your hosts, Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston go it alone on this extra-large edition of the show, which ran a few days late making it onto The JediCole Universe website.

Yes, the infamous Spider-hater has a long career not only blasting Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man in the press, but also been actively involved in a staggering number of attempts on the hero's life!  

Discover how one man's Ahab-like obsession became the stuff of legend in the pages of Marvel Comics.  From the headlines to the tirades, to the automated death machines, old triple-J has a storied history that was too big to contain in a standard one hour issue!

The Rantcor Pit #71 - When Lucas Got Hammered

Note:  When originally recorded, this episode was mistakenly referred to as #70.

JediCole and Eddie are back again!  Bringing you their unique take on "The Star Wars", this outing they take a look at the Hammer Horror film connection to the Saga through two iconic actors.

The Rantcor spotlight falls on  Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee as "Your Favorite Star Wars Guys" are joined by Hammer Films fan and Grand Moff Tarkin enthusiast Eric Shirey.

With tremendous insight into the shared history of Lee and Cushing as perpetual stars of England's Hammer Studios productions, this episode's guest helps illustrate the perfect casting of two of Star Wars' greatest villains. 

With a strong focus on the actors and their careers, more so than the characters they portrayed, this episode proved to be lively and informative - illustrating why both Cushing and Lee were ideal choices by George Lucas when bringing his creations to life.

Frankenstein's Monster invoking comparison unintended...

Hey Kids, Comics! #270 - Rogue-ish I's II: Tangled Web Part 4: Animal Kingdom

It's a jungle out there!  Especially if you are that Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man and your personal rogues gallery consists of so many villains who sport the names of animals!

Insects, mammals, reptiles, birds!  Almost every type of animal in the catalog wound up being the namesake of a Spidey villain at some point.  This week Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston, along with special guest Eddie Medina (of The Rantcor Pit) tackle the better part of this menagerie of evil.

With so many characters to cover, certain criteria had to be met.  Characters were carefully selected, leaving some seeming obvious (and even some not-so-obvious ones) out of the mix.  Expect to hear about the heaviest hitters and the more well known of the critter-themed foes with the odd honorable mention as well.

Hey Kids, Comics! #269 - Rogue-ish I's II: Tangled Web Part 3: Well Armed

Eight is enough...when it comes to limbs when you are Doctor Otto Octavius!  As Rogue-ish I's II continues, Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston put Dr. Octopus in the spotlight as one of the more curious and compelling of Spider-Man's arch nemeses.  

This week they are joined by The Rantcor Pit Live's infamous intern, Stephen Fett!  Lacking much foreknowledge of the character (and brought in as a guest to his surprise), Stephen does manage to get the feel for this great Spidey villain during the course of the show and brings his own unique insights in the end.

As one of the most storied of this collection of rogues, Doc Ock proved a fascinating subject and inspired a level of passion in Andy that is rarely exhibited in an issue of the show.  Cole and Stephen get their observations in, of course, but you must be prepared for an impromptu "Defending the Ock Man" with this one!

All of this and Alfred Molina's amazing cinematic outing as Doctor Octopus!   Give it a listen!

Hey Kids, Comics! #268 - Rogue-ish I's II: Tangled Web - Part 2: Thinking Outside the Sandbox

William Baker (a.k.a. Flint Marko) is one of the more unique Spider-Man villains.  Sometimes the tortured soul with tremendous potential for redemption, sometimes a ruthless criminal serving his own selfish ends.  The ideal character to profile as Rogue-ish I's II:  Tangled Web continues.

Your hosts Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston dig into Sandman and his curious history as villain and hero in this week's issue of the show.   Joining them in this discussion is comic historian and gentleman scholar Weldon Adams, an popular occasional guest of the show.

Expect some interesting observations and insights into Marvel character who often goes overlooked by fans in general.  With the kind of history he brings to bear, Sandman should really enjoy the level of notoriety shared by the likes of Venom, Green Goblin, and Kingpin.

And with a cinematic pedigree, the big screen incarnation is also explored.

The Rantcor Pit #70 - Solo Career

Note:  When originally recorded, this episode was mistakenly referred to as #69.

It's the second Sunday of May and something that has not happened in a great long time is back again!  The Rantcor Pit is back on The JediCole Universe after yet another creative hiatus.  Recorded on the night of the world premiere of Disney's new Star Wars Anthology film, "Solo", JediCole Houston and Eddie Medina have made it back to the show that started it all...the audio version!

With the U.S. premiere still nearly two weeks out, Your Favorite Star Wars Guys talk up their anticipation for the movie and all that it may reveal about the history of everyone's favorite scoundrel.

From casting choices to the battles with directors behind the scenes, there was plenty to discuss about this exciting new chapter in the Star Wars franchise.  And now you can find out what Cole and Eddie have to say before the release with the promise of more afterwards here or on the live show!

 Non-Spoiler Alert - This being all speculation and general pre-release public knowledge, there are pretty much no spoilers in this episode!

Hey Kids, Comics! Quarterly #1 - Podcast's Finest

Welcome to the latest addition to the HKC! universe,  Hey Kids, Comics! Quarterly.  This special edition of the show will publish a mere four issues per year, but each will be colossal in both time and content.

Could there be a better way to launch a new project than in the company of friends?  Certainly not as Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston happily join forces with DeNae Cortez and Aaron Prado of the Wonder Twin Powers Activate Show!  Together these two geeky podcasts seek to tackle the massive topic of ten years of Marvel Studios movies!

Coming from various backgrounds in regard to comic books, as well as the Marvel movies, the conversations are all over the map in this special issue.  Love, hate, and various levels of "meh" are leveled at the bulk of the Marvel cinematic catalog.  Even the top four movies in the opinion of your hosts and their guests are also included in the mix!

Hey Kids, Comics! #267 - Rogue-ish I's II: Tangled Web- Part 1: Goblin Up

Welcome to the latest story arc to hit Hey Kids, Comics!, Rogue-ish I's II:  Tangled Web!  Your hosts Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston kick off an in-depth exploration of some of the most iconic villains to ever challenge Spider-Man in his long career.

Heading up the arc is none other than perhaps the best known nemesis of Ol' Web Head, the Green Goblin.  The rich history of this antagonist makes him the ideal jumping off point to examine the villains who have kept Spidey busy for over 50 years!

Delving into the origins, history, and psychology of such a troubled character is not a task entered into lightly, so your hosts are joined this week by PJ (Vegabomber) Dunn!  Bringing his own unique insights and wisdom to the fore, many a realization was made about the dynamic shared by Norman Osborne and his twisted alter ego.

Even the cinematic incarnations are given their due as Rougeish I's II begins a five issue exploration of evil.

Hey Kids, Comics! #266 - Legends in Their Own Toys

A bit overdue, but worth it, the latest issue of Hey Kids, Comics! has arrived and it is "Legendary!"

Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston are no strangers to Hasbro's Marvel Legends line, a spin-off years ago from a Toy Biz Spider-Man figure series.  They have spoken at length about the line here, on Aisle of Toys, and elsewhere.  Simply put, they love Marvel Legends!  With that in mind it is little wonder they have returned to the topic yet again!

This time, however, they are joined by The Rantcor Pit's own Eddie Medina, a recent convert to this action packed series of action figures!  Eddie brings his own take (and tales of incredible luck on "the hunt" to the table as three collectors share their favorite figures, tales, and want list gems!

Discover the toy line that changed the game for collectors and retailers alike on this special issue of HKC!

Hey Kids, Comics! #265 - Cat Like Part Two: Nine is Not Enough

Welcome comic book, and especially Batman, fans!  Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston are back with more Catwoman goodness!

This week your hosts are joined by the incomparable Kelly Long who brings her traditional grace, knowledge, and sensibility to the chaos that is HKC!  Catwoman's career from the 70s to the present is the order of the day and a lot of ground is covered in regard to the character and "fanboy sexual demands"

Expect an above average issue this outing as hosts and guests trade insights, observations, and revelations about Selina Kyle as portrayed by various creators and her evolution over the past few decades, for better or worse.  

Hey Kids, Comics! #264 - Cat Like Part One: Smart as a Whip

Catwoman.

Does anything else really need to be said?  Perhaps not, but it did not stop your hosts Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston from devoting not one, but two episodes to one of the most famous and enduring of Batman villains.

This issue chronicles Gotham's favorite (?) cat burglar's lengthy career in comics.  From her first tangle with the Batman to the advent of the cat costume to various romances with her arch rival to her disappearance from comics and beyond.  Selina Kyle's alter ego has an amazing origin and a history that is explored from 1940 to the late 60s in as much detail as an hour would allow.

Be sure to tune in next Friday for the second part of this Catwoman-centric tale that leads up to the impending Bat-nuptials as the Kyle-Wayne wedding vows will soon be heard!

Hey Kids, Comics! #263 - Keeping Up With the Joneses

By tomorrow (April 20), the JCU will be back on track with the latest issues of Hey Kids, Comics! publishing every Friday!  Still catching up, please enjoy what was intended as last Friday's exploration of the second season of Netflix's Jessica Jones!

Building on the life of the title character after the events of The Defenders, the new season of the series takes Jessica to her roots as a street-level super-hero.  Such as she is willing to be thus.  And so naturally Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston just had to talk about where things headed this season, despite losing the original recording and having some differences of opinion!

Your hosts do agree that the plot offers a rich development to not only Jessica's character (with the arrival of her thought-to-be-late mom on the scene) but also the entire cast of supporting characters.  Find out for yourself their thoughts on the twists and turns, the curious sub-plots, and the grooming of a future Hellcat(?) in this super-sized issue.

Mrs. JediCole even joins in to express her thoughts on this great Netflix series.  Enjoy!

Hey Kids, Comics! #262 - Wakanda Round

It's finally here (on the JCU site that is)!  The long awaited issue featuring one of the absolute best Marvel Cinematic Universe movies to date - Black Panther!

Full to brimming with all things comic book goodness wrapped in a satisfying movie-going experience, this chapter of the ongoing Marvel franchise has your hosts Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston absolutely gushing!

Black Panther proves not just a great Marvel Comics movie, but a great movie in general.  Find out what the HKC! boys (along with Mrs. JediCole) thought of this latest chapter in the ever-expanding story of the Marvel Universe on the big screen by checking out this issue of the show!

Hey Kids, Comics! #261 - Hey Hasbro!

It has just been too long and this issue (and the one that follows) is long overdue!  

In this issue, your intrepid hosts gush over new and upcoming releases in Hasbro's Marvel Legends line of action figures, then take matters into their own hands.  Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston admonish Hasbro to touch upon some of the Marvel characters as yet unseen.

This show really speaks for itself, so there is little need to give too many hints as to which characters these fanboys want to see given the plastic treatment.  Just give it a listen and discover for yourself!

Of course there is that ONE character that is inevitably revisited in the discussions...

Hey Kids, Comics! #260 - Thou Never Shalt Hear Herald Any More

When it comes to iconic Fantastic Four villains, few fit the bill quite as much as that constant cosmic visitor and hunger-monger, Galactus!  And when comes the Devourer of Worlds first comes his faithful (well, usually faithful) Herald.

With at least ten heralds to date, the job has had fairly consistent turnover since the Fallen One got the Cosmic Pink Slip.  Nearly every herald has, as a matter of course, been an ad hoc Fantastic Four foe, so this issue is HKC!'s way of coming out in support of Marvel's cancelled "low sales" wonder.

Be they walker on air, tamer, lord of fire, or a shiny surfer of the spaceways, if you are willing to proclaim the impending end of a planet, you can get yourself some Power Cosmic action and enjoy (?) the tragic duty of giving folks a chance to kiss their asses goodbye before the big guy arrives to sate his appetite!  Find out more by giving this issue a listen.

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Hey Kids, Comics! #259 - The Saga of "Saga"

If it were possible for your hosts Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston to gush like schoolgirls over a comic, that comic would have to be "Saga".  And for the record, it is most assuredly possible!

The Image Comics masterpiece by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples is one of the most groundbreaking and simultaneously "f'd-up" comics int he history of the medium.  The written word does not do justice to what you will hear on this issue of the show!

This week the show will speak for itself.  And for "Saga", truly one of the all time greats!

Hey Kids, Comics! #258 - That Moment When, Again

There are times when a comic book is more than just a comic book.  The times when the work of writer and artist transcend the medium.  Those moments when...

Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston invite you to join them once again, months after the firs time they took on this topic, to yet again share in their personal moments when a comic story spoke to them in an unexpected or profound way.

Spoiler Alert!

This issue will feature in-depth discussion of specific stories or story arcs from the following comics.  If you are keen to discover these stories for yourself without prior commentary, you may want to do so before you hear the thoughts of your HKC! hosts.

Titles and stories discussed include Marvel Two-in-One, Saga (Volume 3), the inclusion of Watchmen characters in the greater DC Universe, Arkham Asylum:  Living Hell, Starman, and the Time Runs Out story line.