Hey Kids, Comics! #131 - House of Obscurity

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A creaking door gives way to a shove from intrepid explorer Andrew Farmer.  Brushing aside a blanket of cobwebs laden with the dust of neglect he takes his favorite lantern in hand and infiltrates a mysterious repository of the forgotten.  Close behind Cole "JediCole" Houston follows with a blazing torch lighting his way as the pair begin to explore this oubilette of comics.  They have dared to brave, on behalf of their faithful listeners, the House of Obscurity!

On a less melodramatic note, this issue of Hey Kids, Comics! delves deeply into obscure, forgotten, and unknown in comic books.  Many are the titles no one recalls but perhaps should.  The purpose of this issue is to educate about some favorites that were stumbled upon over the years and can probably still be had to this day.

From Badger to The Fish Police, The Golem's Mighty Swing to Poison Elves, Secret Doors to Omaha the Cat Dancer, there have been many a comic that have come and gone over the years.  Some made a splash in their day then faded from the public eye while others arrived quietly on the scene and went away just as quietly.  Coming across such titles in the Bargain Bins at conventions or comic shops can be a true joy for collectors.  Such is the substance of this issue of the show.  Even the long-gone comic book magazines and newspapers of days gone by are discussed!  


The Rantcor Pit #33 - Mark of Distinction

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A day later than expected there is at last a new episode of The Rantcor Pit!  

A lost recording and a second try later Cole Houston and Eddie Medina are proud to bring you a look at Mark Hamill and his impact on Star Wars and so much more!  

Not only did this actor bring so much life to the character of Luke Skywalker, he also embraced the ever-developing nature of the farm boy turned Jedi.  From A New Hope to Return of the Jedi, Luke grew mentally and spiritually and Hamill captured every subtle nuance.  The whiny, ever-put upon Lars nephew gave way to the only-whiny-when-confronted-with-a-dark-lineage Jedi-in-training who would one day be a Jedi, like his father before him.

Beyond Star Wars, Mark Hamill seems to have been everywhere over the years, ultimately returning to his voice acting roots.  His characterization of Batman's most villainous foe has become for many the definitive incarnation of the Joker.  This and more is explored as your two favorite Star Wars guys talk about the career and pop-culture contributions of Mark Hamill! 


What Became of JCU Sunday Funnies?

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As you may have seen, I've fallen a bit behind on things for the JCU in the last few days.  So naturally it might not have seemed alarming that there was not a new You Are Here yesterday morning.

The reality in this case is that the series is going on a hiatus to allow Bobby Blakey a break from this project and time to catch up on his other pursuits.  While the series is not officially ending, we are not yet certain when it will return.  After two years of turning my concepts into amazing cartoons I think it is high time that Bobby took a little time away.

I have recently stumbled on an old file that contained the original concept notes, sketches, and a few completed and nearly completed cartoons for the original, unrealized You Are Here cartoon.  I have long said that the series began 20 years ago, however unearthing the file I discovered that it is actually 25 years old!  At the insistence of Eddie Medina (of The Rantcor Pit and Figments) I am going to publish a few of these cartoons here during the hiatus period in their original black and white format - mainly because I lack the technical skill to reproduce them in color.  But then had the series gone forward in 1990 they would have been published in black and white regardless!

The first two years of You Are Here cartoons have been published in two volumes of the collected works.  Look for Bobby or myself at conventions in Texas to get your copies!

Hey Kids, Comics! Live #8 - Home Screen Advantage

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Getting things caught up still, the JCU is proud to present the archive of Hey Kids, Comics! Live that aired on Saturday, April 11, 2015.

In what will become a two-part story (crossing over into the pre-recorded Hey Kids, Comics! this Friday), Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston are joined in the studio at Deep Ellum on Air by none other than Eddie Medina of The Rantcor Pit in his first guest appearance on this show!  This issue of the live show is all about the presence of comic book related television shows over the years.  With the critically acclaimed arrival of Daredevil on Netflix, it seems that a Golden Age of cooperation between comics and television has emerged!  Joining the ranks of such current programs as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Gotham, this new arrival is just the first of many on the way from the streaming services production arm.  

Join these three hardcore comic fans as they, and viewers calling in, go all over the map in discussing favorite shows, the possibility of over-saturation of the airwaves, and much more.  One hour was just not enough to cover such a big topic, so expect to hear more in just a few days!


Hey Kids Comics 2015-04-11 by DeepEllumOnAir

Hey Kids, Comics #130 - Creator Spotlight #4: Alan Moore

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Welcome to the return of the the Creator Spotlight on Hey Kid,s Comics!  It has been far too long!  But to make amends your hosts Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston have set their sight on one of the big guns!

 Alan Moore!

What began as just another Creator Spotlight will spawn so much more (pun intended), but for now the tip of the iceberg that is this talented writer/creator's body of work is mapped out.  From early work for Warrior Magazine to some rare titles from obscure imprints, there was plenty to talk about.

Naturally Watchmen is discussed, but there was oh so much more!  Far more than could adequately be explored in one show in fact, but this is just the beginning of that promised longer journey ahead.  So if you were a fan of Time Twisters or Lost Girls, Promethia or Supreme, Top Ten or Swamp Thing then you need to hear what Hey Kids, Comics! has to say about the mysterious Alan Moore!


The Rantcor Pit Live #25 - Hunting Easter Eggs

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It's catching up time at the JCU!  Almost a week after it aired live on Deep Ellum on Air we finally have the latest edition of The Rantcor Pit Live available here for your enjoyment. 

This episode went out live on Easter Sunday morning so it seemed only appropriate that we talk about the Easter eggs that became a thing in Star Wars films beginning with the Special Editions.  
Seriously?!
Certainly the worst offender was The Phantom Menace, but that is a story to be shared on the show.  Many are the little hidden gems and hidden lackluster jokes that can be spotted by the eagle-eyed.  With Eddie Medina taking the day off, Hey Kids, Comics! Live host Andrew Farmer joined Cole Houston for this popular episode that drew nearly 400 live viewers!

Joining your JCU favorites in the studio was DeNae Griffith, producer of 2016's upcoming Lubbock-Con.  Like Cole and Andrew, she likes the Star Wars and had a wonderful time discovering the Easter eggs in the Saga as well as a couple that cropped up in the Indiana Jones franchise!  So grab your Yoda-head Easter basket and keep your eyes peeled not for brightly colored chicken eggs, but for little visuals tossed here and there for the big screen.


The Rantcor Pit 2015-04-05 by DeepEllumOnAir

JCU Sunday Funnies #104

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With this cartoon, The JediCole Universe's weekly comic has officially turned two years old!  Find out how to get the the compiled editions below!  These full color books reproduce every You Are Here cartoon published on this site in the first two years plus bonus cartoons!

Want to see Bobby Blakey's art and his own humor including the newly relaunched Last Stop?  Check out six years of the strip plus new material right here!

Own the first two years of You Are Here in collected editions (Your First Year Here: You Are Here Volume 1 and You're Still Here: You Are Here Volume 2) only $11.00 each postpaid.  More details here.

Hey Kids, Comics! #129 - Reckless Endangerment

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This week Hey Kids, Comics! takes a good look at the phenomenon of  sidekicks, specifically super-hero sidekicks that are minors.  

How does Batman get away with constantly inviting kids to join the most dangerous game in Gotham City?  Why was no one bothered that children like Toro and Bucky were brought into the dead center of a combat theater during World War II?  Where is the line drawn, assuming there is a line?

 Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston actively explore these and other weighty issues 



Now on the subject of the fundraiser for Red Pegasus games and comics, click here to join in on helping this great shop make the move to their permanent home and get your cool stuff from the shop in the process!

The Rantcor Pit #32 - Star Wars Fandom at Random #1

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Cole Houston and Eddie Medina, your favorite Star Wars guys are back from their All-Con break and happy to bring you the first of a new recurring series, "Star Wars Fandom at Random"!

Bobby Blakey joins in on a conversation that focuses on personal Star Wars fandom experiences, especially of celebrity encounters as it turned out.  Many a Star Wars fan has had their brush with greatness or has a story to tell when it comes to meeting some of the stars of the Saga.  This is a topic too large to limit to just one episode, so expect to hear a log more down the line!

In the mean time, Bobby, Eddie, and Cole had plenty to talk about from personal encounters with many a Star Wars notable from the likes of Carrie Fisher to former Fan Liaison Steve Sansweet.  The variety of tales is as unique as the celebrities involved and made for one of the more fascinating shows in the series to date.


Hey Kids, Comics! #128 - HKC! Team-Up #6: The Defenders

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Just who are the Defenders?


That was a burning question on the minds of hosts Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston when they set about producing the latest HKC! Team-Up.  As the most famous unknown team in Marvel Comics history apart from the Circus of Crime, this low-rent Avengers has enjoyed an on again, off again career at the House of Ideas that spans decades.  But who are they, really?
Hey Kids, Comics! is back from the All-Con hiatus at last with a lighter sort of topic to launch back into things.  With a charter membership that included the Hulk, Doctor Strange, and Namor the Sub-Mariner.  With a roster like that right out of the gate they should have been elevated to the upper echelon of  Marvel Comics groups.  But alas, they have never proven as popular as the X-Men or Fantastic Four.  Even the Inhumans tend to get more coverage!

Well Hey Kids, Comics! comes to the rescue and defends the Defenders, who are poised to become part of the Marvel television universe by the way and in a way, with an issue all about their unique history and more unique roster!  And what a roster!  From Angel, Beast, and Iceman (in alphabetical order it works out) to Silver Surfer and Valkyrie to Gargoyle and Son of Satan, this team has embraced nearly everyone in catalog at some point over the years.  Now it is their chance to shine!


Apologies to Cloud (of the Defenders) who was left out of all conversations in this issue.

The JediCole Universe Live (All-Con 2015) - In the Company of Heroes

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Althria Goebel, Donna Swafford, some guy, and Camden Toy at All-Con 2015!
Welcome to a very special podcast for the JCU!  On Saturday, March 14, 2015 The JediCole Universe Live was produced at All-Con 2015 in Addison, TX.  Much to my surprise plans were changed when my originally scheduled guest, Althria Goebel approached me before the show to ask if it was okay to bring along some other folks who were involved in the production of Now Hiring, the super-hero romantic comedy that followers of this site know quite well by now!

Althira was a producer on the film who I was thrilled to have on my little show, yet she had caught Production Manager/Line Producer Donna Swafford and star Camden Toy (Lord Menace) at the elevator and brought them along for the ride.   And what a ride it was!  All three, along with Misha Bostic who did not take the stage, brought so many tales from the set and location to the show.  Now Hiring will be available soon on DVD as well as on one of the cable stations, so this should whet your appetite for this wonderfully fun movie!

The second half of the show was given over to various humorous gags that have become a trademark of my All-Con talk shows like "It Came From the Dollar Store!", which are far too visual in nature to be well presented in an audio format.  As a result, this podcast will treat you to some behind the scenes tales of the making of Now Hiring!
Average Joe vs. Lord Menace!


And be sure to check out the awesome trailer for this awesome movie!  Rest assured I will be spreading the word on how to get your copy of Now Hiring right here as soon as the information is available!



Hey gang!  I just found out that there is even a Now Hiring store!  Follow this link for above average goodies featuring Average Joe and his fellow crime fighters!

Finally, in addition to the promised Lord Menace Gatorade endorsement above, I am posting a photo album of my own personal photos from my three weekends in the company of heroes.  Some of my original photos were lost when my computer crashed late last year, but as I am able to recover more and more from outside files I will be adding to the mix that follows.  Enjoy!
Me watching the proceedings with my fake shotgun at the ready.  Some of San Antonio's finest are not at all bothered, there are stranger things going on down the block!

Mark directs the action on the streets of San Antonio.  That's me being "mean" behind the car!
Night Watchman says, "Crime doesn't take an ice cream break!"
The Mighty Placeholder has arrived for his interview!
The heroes do battle with Lord Menace...a week before he arrives on location!  Movies is magic!
M.A.X. gets the better of Night Watchman!
Luckily there was a break in filming!  And M.A.X. just loves city buses for...reasons.
An unwelcome morning rain.  I suspect Lord Menace was behind this!
"Whatever you do, JediCole, DO NOT break your gun!"
Preparing to film Lord Menace's portal device.  This was such a cool set piece!
The "bad guy" was not such a bad guy, really.  But then I was one of his henchmen.
My boys!  For reasons I cannot fathom, the rest of the gang determined I was their leader!  Was it the gloves?  The ill-fitting mask?  We may never know.  But we do enjoy our work and me and the Angel Gang did win the J.D. Power and Associates Award for Best Henchmen three years running!  Thanks for everything, guys!  Oh, and thanks to Lord Menace!
A break meant a photo-op for some young fans who saw the filming in progress!
And then there's that selfie I took during production!  #DoublingasaThugLife

Hey Kids, Comics! Live #7 - To All-Con and Beyond!

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It's "live" time again!  Fresh off of a whirlwind weekend at All-Con 2015 (where the JCU had a HUGE presence!) hosts Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston had a lot to share about their experiences a this and other conventions.  But they did not go it alone!  Joining them were DFW area Back to the Future costumer David Martino and Midnight Movie Cowboys co-host Hunter Deusing!

From the ever-popular game shows (by All-Con Games and Theory) to the various panels, costumes, and other memories from the show, if you missed out on All-Con this year, let this episode whet your appetite for 2016!  Learn about our favorite convention from someone who's been involved all eleven years and others who run the gamut from first timers to being practically fixtures of this show!
You can see this month's guest David at the contestant's table!
Join the fun with this special episode of the live show that is the closest you will come to the All-Con experience without actually attending!  The JCU, along with Half-Ass Productions and Games and Theory, is already gearing up for next year with just under a year ahead!  We love this convention and you can discover why when you check out the episode.

Hey Kids Comics 2015-03-21 by DeepEllumOnAir

The Rantcor Pit Live #24 - Lighting Up With Lightsabers

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With a new episode of The Rantcor Pit Live coming up on Sunday (along with the show's first anniversary!) the episodes not yet published on the JCU site are getting caught up.  This will bring the posts up to date at last! - JediCole


 Okay Padwans and Masters, it's time to grab your favorite color of lightsaber and get ready for a unique episode of The Rantcor Pit Live!  

Cole Houston and Eddie Medina are joined yet again by VegaBomber and returning guest Bryan Hodges.  This time the discussion in the studio turns to the elegant weapon of the Jedi.  The mystique and mystery of this weapon of "a more civilized age" have been a part of the Saga since Star Wars first hit screens in 1977.  So how exactly do they work?  And could they work given what is known to Earthly science?

Opinions varied on every aspect of this iconic "laser sword" which made for great conversation throughout the show.  Check it out and discover what everyone had to say about this favorite movie weapon!


The Rantcor Pit 2015-03-08 by DeepEllumOnAir

The Rantcor Pit Live #23 - Happy Birthday C-3PO!

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The JCU has fallen behind a bit in getting some of the shows posted to the site.  As a result, this episode of The Rantcor Pit Live is running very late in appearing here.  While it has been available for viewing on Deep Ellum on Air since February 22, it is overdue here.  Things are back to normal now so expect things to be caught up shortly.  - JediCole

Welcome to a special episode of The Rantcor Pit Live with Cole Houston and Eddie Medina paying tribute to the man in the golden suit, C-3PO himself, Anthony Daniels.  A special birthday celebration explores the character, the history, and the man who's performance defined one of the signature droids of the Saga.

Your hosts are joined by VegaBomber of Do It Yourself as they discuss C-3PO's role in Star Wars and the process of bringing the droid to the big screen.  From the films of the two trilogies to all of the myriad appearances of 3PO on television, there was a lot of ground to cover, most of it not too rocky.

So if you like the Star Wars and  you love you some C-3PO, don't miss out on this episode and help us celebrate Anthony Daniels' birthday and his impact on that galaxy far, far away!
The Rancor Pit 2015-02-22 by DeepEllumOnAir

JCU Sunday Funnies #101

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It's time again for All-Con and that means that the second volume of You Are Here (You're Still Here) has premiered!  Beginning a week from today you can order your copy online if you were not able to attend All-Con 2015 to buy it from the creators in person!

Want to see Bobby Blakey's art and his own humor including the newly relaunched Last Stop?  Check out six years of the strip plus new material right here!

Own the first year of You Are Here in a collected edition (Your First Year Here) only $11.00 postpaid.  More details here.

Hey Kids, Comics! #127 - The Super-Human Experience: The Gods Themselves

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From humans with the "power of the gods" to the actual gods of comic books in the conclusion to The Super-Human Experience.

Analyzing the psychology of non-humans (and even non-residents of this realm of existence) is a tricky thing for hosts Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston.  Yet they are up to the Herculean task at hand as they explore how Titans (not teen ones) clash and the gods mete out their own brand of justice on the world.

Discover what it must mean to be a god among men and gods, why some choose to become protectors and others just meddle or ignore the world that they once ruled, and what happens when pantheons collide.  See how the various Classical mythos vary from publisher to publisher?  And find out the favorite incarnations of your hosts as they appear in comics.



JCU Sunday Funnies #100

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It's time again for All-Con and creators Cole "JediCole" Houston and Bobby Blakey will be in attendance and premiering You're Still Here: You Are Here Volume 2!  If you are attending All-Con 2015 be sure to seek them out, get your copy of the second big year's collection, and get it autographed in person!  Beginning two weeks from today you can order your copy online if you were not able to attend All-Con and meet us in person!


Want to see Bobby Blakey's art and his own humor including the newly relaunched Last Stop?  Check out six years of the strip plus new material right here!

Own the first year of You Are Here in a collected edition (Your First Year Here) only $11.00 postpaid.  More details here.

Did You Miss "Foscar Night"?

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Hey gang!

 It's been a little bit since this year's Oscar ceremonies honored last year's top films.  On the day of that event our own Vegabomber, co-host and creator of Do It Yourself  turned the Academy Awards on its ear with the first annual Foscars (or Fanboy Oscars)!  

 You will see some familiar faces in fandom appearing as presenters including Andrew Farmer (Hey Kids, Comics!, Hey Kids, Comics! Live) and Eddie Medina (The Rantcor Pit, The Rantcor Pit Live, Figments).  In fact Eddie and I taped our presentation just minutes before going live with the latest edition of TRPL!  

 So if you missed Foscar Night, then here's your chance to see what Vegabomber (who can't help but do everything Hollywood himself) had in mind for the "best of" cinema last year!