Hey Kids, Comics!/Whadjathink? Crossover - Superman . Batman: Dawn of Justice

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Lookie!  "Whadjathink?" is back!  Well, sort of.  

This week (even if a few days late), Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston are taking a week away from the current story arc to catch up on scheduling and some issues with the JCU site.  So the timing was ideal (especially since it gave most folks time to go see the movie) to air a special they recorded with Mrs. JediCole on the subject of "Superman v Batman: Dawn of Justice"!

Presented as a crossover between this show and the long out of production "Whadjathink?", Mrs. JediCole joins the critical review and discussion of the Zach Snyder epic.  The good, the bad, the just a little to Snyder-y, it's all here.

Find out what three seasoned JCU podcasters thought of the first universe-building chapter of Warner Brothers' overdue attempt to cash in on what Disney and Marvel have been raking in the dough in Uncle Scrooge-like proportions for years.  Was it all as bad as the professional critics would have led us to believe?  Was it just kind of bad?  Was there anything redeeming in this picture?  Was it actually kind of good?  

These and other questions are answered as your hosts tackle ups and downs of this blockbuster that are so prevalent as to seem like a Superman tall building hurdle race!  This is a spoiler-rich episode for the handful of people who have not seen the movie.  You have been warned! 


 

Hey Kids, Comics! #178 - Comic Book Capers: Exit Through the Comic Shop

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Hey kids!  "Hey Kids, Comics!" is back, if a bit late (again).  The latest story arc continues and this time the first of our crime files is opened.

In this issue, Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston discuss the crime of theft.  Both petty and more importantly the grand variety as they pertain to comic books, comic collectors, and comic shops.  

From the pilfering of high end comics that were formerly on display at a convention to the most famous heist of all, the theft of a portion of Nicholas Cage's prized comic book collection!  When comic books get stolen it creates grief for the owner and problematic aftermath that extends beyond the thief.  





For Andrew, in memorium.

The Rantcor Pit Live #47 - Lose Credits: A Theory of Everything Star Wars

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This edition of the Rantcor Pit Live is several weeks old.  I have fallen behind in getting the archives posted to the JCU and have finally begun the process of posting each episode here.  Initially there will be no flavor copy or art, but that will be populated soon.  Please bear with me as I scramble to get all of the JCU features back on schedule.  -  JediCole

Hey Kids, Comics! #177 - Comic Book Capers: I'll See You in Court!

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This issue of the show ran late in publication here.  It should have gone up on the site on Friday, April 15, 2016.

 It's story arc time again!  

Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston take their case to court.  More accurately they talk about court cases in the opening arguments of a five issue story arc that is all about real world civil and criminal cases.  

Don't let the flavor art fool you, this time it is all about real people, real cases, real comics.  A huge part of the genre of the comic book is the publication and production of the finished product and also the distribution, sales, and ultimately collecting of comics.  But sometimes there are legal disputes along the way that become, in their own right, a part of the ongoing story.

In this issue such weighty issues as ownership of comic characters and the artwork thereof, legality of adult-oriented material, and copyright infringement are the order of the day.  Your hosts delve deep into various cases as they launch a series on comic book crimes and misdemeanors.  

Hey Kids, Comics #176 - A Baton to the Face II (or: "We'd Rather be Watching Daredevil II"

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This issue of Hey Kids, Comics! was originally slated to appear on this site on Friday, April 8, 2016.  The JCU is slowly catching up, so this Friday's show should arrive on time.

Out of the darkness on a steamy night in Hell’s Kitchen, the multiplying forces of justice seek to end the forces of darkness and evil that threaten the very safety and security of a city!


Such is a poor appraisal of the thrill of having Daredevil on Netflix yet again!  The second season arrived like a crimson avenger swooping in out of nowhere in the nick of time.  Okay, not quite the nick of time.  For those of us who watched the first season back when it was released, the wait for its return was a long one.  Even as amazing as Jessica Jones proved to be, it was not enough to sate the hunger that grew in all of us, especially with the word that both Elektra and the Punisher would be in the mix!


Your hosts Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston express their boundless enthusiasm for the return of ol’ Horn Head to the little screen in this special issue of the show.  There is no curbing the enthusiasm of these Daredevil fans as they share thoughts and observations about the Netflix series that could easily be called “Red is the New Black…and Blue”!    

Hey Kids, Comics! #175 - Challenge of the Comics Pros

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This issue was slated to appear on Friday, April 1, 2016.  It went live on Podbean that day, but not on the JCU site.

 Welcome to another milestone issue of Hey Kids, Comics!  


 For our 175th issue, your host Andrew Farmer sought to shine the HKC! spotlight on an oft overlooked segment of comics - the retailer.  

Earlier this year the annual Comics Pro meeting was held in Portland, Oregon.  This conference of the professional organization of comic book retailers marked the tenth year that comic shop owners gathered to meet executives and directors of comic companies, to share insights in marketing their business and their wares, and generally meet with their peers from across the country.

This year was remarkable in that DC Comics set out to promote the upcoming "Rebirth" event that is notable for flooding the market with twice-monthly publication of a large volume of titles.  This conference is one of the most important gatherings of the year for comic book retailers and proved a fascinating topic of discussion.  Join Andy and Cole "JediCole" Houston as they explore the challenges facing the interconnected aspects of comic publishing and retail today and in the months and years to come.
 

JCU Sunday Funnies #105

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And the Funnies Just Keep On Coming!  Again.

Three years ago today I had an idea pop into my head that led to Bobby Blakey translating a joke into a one panel cartoon.  Though neither of us would have imagined that day, this would lead to a two-year collaboration that became "You Are Here", featured on this site at "JCU Sunday Funnies" for an uninterrupted 104 weeks!

Bobby took a hiatus (much needed) but was recently inspired to return to the series, surprising me with having picked up some of the concepts for the third year's cartoons.  While we are still at least a week shy of the third anniversary of the cartoon's debut here, I simply could not wait to relaunch as the birthday of the first cartoon fell on a Sunday this year.  So now, as announced on "The Rantcor Pit Live" earlier today, I give you the return of JCU Sunday Funnies!




Watch "The Rantcor Pit Live" Today For a Special Announcement!

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Hey everybody!  JediCole here to let you know that you should watch today's episode of "The Rantcor Pit Live" from Deep Ellum on Air from 12 PM to 1 PM Central.  Click the link below to go straight to Watch On Air Live and see myself and Eddie Medina talk encounters with the stars of Star Wars!  

Our special guest this time is Bobby Blakey for a many reasons, not the least of which is that announcement that will be made live on the show!  

 Then look for a follow-up post that will appear on this website shortly after the end of the latest episode!

 - JediCole

Hey Kids, Comics! #174 - To All-Con and Back Again

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Well, it had to happen eventually!  Cole Houston returns to his co-hosting gig on "Hey Kids, Comics!"
"It Came From the Dollar Store" as part of  The JediCole Universe Live at All-Con 2016.
Back from All-Con (and the recovery period that followed), Cole joins host Andrew Farmer for a discussion about the favorite convention of The JediCole Universe.  This issue is running quite late due to a bout with the inevitable con-crud, something Cole thought he managed to avoid at the time of the recording.
JediCole and VegaBomber host "Screen Time" at All-Con\.
All-Con 2016 was a banner year for Cole with the biggest turn out for the game show track in its long history.  A new hotel (and all of its ups and downs), tons attending fans, new features and lots of fun were the order of the weekend.
Bobby Blakey in the Large Props Room.

 If you were unable to attend All-Con, let this be your glimpse at the fun from the experience of an insider.
JediCole moderates a delightful panel with Paul "Greedo" Blake.
 
Half-Ass Productions brought it to All-Con yet again this year!

HKC - The Lost Week

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Hey Fellow Kids,

It's become obvious that we took a break last week.  In light of All-Con (a deluge of posts and stories will follow shortly), and well...just life; we thought it prudent to take a week to regroup, and prepare for the next 25 issues of the show.  We are going to be ramping up hard to 200, with new story arcs, guests, and crazy non-linear thinking. 

We did want to take this time, as we tend to do this time of year, to thank you all for being supporters and listeners.  You make this little thing we do every week worth while.  You are all amazing dreamers, and lovers of art and wierd comedy.  You are amazing, each one of you.  Thank you.

That's it for now, see ya next week!

Hey Kids, Comics! #173 - If You Can't Take The Heat (Daredevil part 2)

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Note:  The numbering of this issue has been corrected, it was in fact issue 173.

In Coles last show away for All-con, HKC heads into Hell’s Kitchen once more for Issue 173.  With Daredevil Season 2 preparing to stalk darkly on Netflix; Andrew is joined by show alum and media czar, Jason “Old Hollywood” Adams to rehash the finer points of the first season of The Man without Fear, as well as speculate on whats coming for us in the next 13 episodes. 

Jason and Andrew also discuss Batman v Superman casting, J.K. Simmons, J.J. Abrams and the Industrimedia complex. Jason postulates on a possible Kevin Smith conspiracy theory, and Andrew yells about the flash a little.

All this and more, in another action packed issue of HKC!  
The audio went a little nuts in the last 10 minutes, we recovered most of it...also I am a sinus monster...full disclosure 

Hey Kids, Comics! #172 - The "10s" Part Two

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Note:  The numbering of this issue has been corrected, it was in fact issue 172.


We are back, dear listeners, to once again navigate the stegian void of linear story telling, with Hey Kids, Comics issue 172.  This week we tackle a myriad of topics in the second part of "The 10s".  Nic joins Andrew once again to ask Yes, And to a bushel of top ten topics, and fear not important questions are answered.  We wreck your paradigm with such pressing issues as "is the joker just really attracted to the batman", and "SugarMan?"


Cole is still in the war room for this one, but his influence is all over this issue.  Show your thanks for all his hard work by heading to All-Con this year, and getting involved.  He will return in short order to regale us with tales of entertainment and victory.

Again, this is a rated R show, so out the kids to bed (yeah it's 3 in the afternoon, but you know you want to), and buckle in for part two of THE 10s!










His name is Kevin Spacey 

Hey Kids, Comics! #171 - The "10s" Part One

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Note:  The numbering of this issue has been corrected, it was in fact issue 171.

"People Love Top Ten Lists" - Nic

And frankly I can't disagree.  In an issue of HKC, that is equal parts Buzzfeed, and an Improv Experiment, we explore everything from netflix to babes.  There is also a surprising amount of Longshot for some reason.  We are joined by Nic, and record live from Kentucky.  Ample Warning, we are using a new rig, and not all the bugs are worked out, so the sound might get a little wonky at times, just hang in there, and it will be worth your while.

Cole is still out for this one, and just like when your parents go out on a date night, Nic and I raid the liqueur and get a little dirty with it, so put the kids to bed and get ready for the first installment of  the "10s".

Why is there a picture of swamp thing over there?  Click below to listen and find out!


....yes, and!

Hey Kids, Comics! #170 - The Best Comics We've Ever Played

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Note:  The numbering of this issue has been corrected, it was in fact issue 170.

Once more into the breach, fearless listeners!  HKC is back with issue 170:  The Best Comics We've Ever Played.  With Cole off to focus his boundless energy on what is sure to be an amazing All-Con (side quest), Andrew forges new alliances with old friends to continue the journey into the dark heart of all things Comics.  Joined by Hulking Barbarian, Kurt Maksay; and Guileful Gnome Tinkerer, Jordan Waag, the boys attempt to peel back the layers on the topic of Comic Book Games.  From vast fields of RPG to the peaceful valleys of board games this band plows forward to answer important questions like "Why hasn't Kurt played G.U.R.P.'s" and "Why is Heroclix so much like Freemasonry"? 

So velcro on your cape, and set your GM Screen to stun, your adventure begins NOW...well as soon as you hit up the link below

This show gets a little blue, so maybe not so much for kids...yeah?






Hey Kids, Comics! #169 - "Con Game"

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Hey Kids, Comics! is back again with a particularly different issue this week that examines the advent and rise of the comic book convention.

Your hosts Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston are seasoned veterans of the "con game" and are fascinated by the whole phenomenon.  From the first such convention in 1964 in New York City to the modern mega-show that is more a media show than a comic show, a lot of ground is covered in this issue.

No lines, no exclusives that sell out instantly, no guests, but a whole lot of fun as Hey Kids, Comics! takes on the convention scene, right down to personal experiences on the part of Andy and Cole.


Click on the icon above to discover dozens of conventions in the Lone Star State!

The Rantcor Pit #47 - The Outer Rim Part One: Movie Nights

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Dear Rantcor: Sorry for the delay, three days late may not seem like much, but I do like to try to hit the marks more often than not.  - JediCole
Greetings, Outlander.  Welcome to a special Rantcor Pit Trilogy that explores the myriad times that Star Wars left the confines of that Galaxy Far, Far Away and wound up, directly or in reference, on the big screen in somebody else's movie.

In celebration of the latest anniversary of Fanboys, Cole Houston and Eddie Medina discuss not only this celebration of Star Wars in a feature film, but other movies that give a nod or wink to the Saga, parody or reference, or also show their love of Star Wars as that popular little indy film had done in 2009.  

Personal favorites, half-forgotten movie memories, and reminisces of subtle little "things Star Wars" on the silver screen are the stuff of this show.  While not a comprehensive look at such references, there are plenty of memories shared from Armageddon to Zack and Miri Make a Porno!