Gobbledygeek

We're back! Sort of. Before Gobbledygeek's official return next month, Paul and Arlo explain the terrible real-life circumstances that led to the hiatus. The boys discuss grief, loss, tragedy, depression, and a whole bunch of other super fun and upbeat things! To end things on a positive note, they also discuss some happy news and the pop culture they've enjoyed during the hiatus (Westworld! Arrival! Moonlight!).

Next: the show returns toward the end of next month to make another journey to a galaxy far, far away with a discussion of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

We are devastated to report that on Sunday, October 9, 2016, Arlo's mother Kim passed away. This has been a difficult year for many of us, but a death in the Gobbledygeek Family hits especially hard. So we hope you'll understand that Arlo, and the show, will be taking a much-needed hiatus to process and grieve. We will return in January 2017 with a brand new season, Season 8, but in the meantime we appreciate all the thoughts, prayers and comfort you can give to our friend and his family. 

We've set up a GoFundMe campaign to help with medical expenses and funeral arrangements. We understand everyone is on a budget, but no amount is too small. If you're able, please go to https://www.gofundme.com/arlo-wiley-support-fund-2tsqaec?ssid=767925923&pos=1. 

Armed only with a glass of water and his trusty baseball bat, Kenn Edwards of So Let's Get to the Point invades the podcast this week to help Paul and Arlo kick off Gobbledyween 2016. This year's month-long horror-fest gets off to a miraculous start with a discussion of M. Night Shyamalan's sci-fi thriller Signs. After the runaway success of The Sixth Sense and the lukewarm contemporary response to Unbreakable, Signs is often considered the last film Shyamalan made before a precipitous decline; that is, when it's considered at all. The gang gets to the core of what makes Signs a worthwhile film, including a question you may hear repeated about the other movies on this year's slate: Is it a horror film at all? The boys also delve into Shyamalan's exploration of faith, how the film functions as a response to 9/11, whether or not it's okay to still enjoy a Mel Gibson performance, and more. Plus, Paul violently shames Arlo for not watching Luke Cage, and the mythical episode 300 is teased.

Next: Gobbledyween 2016 grows fangs for Kathryn Bigelow's 1987 vampiric neo-Western Near Dark.

Vampires, bananas, and Weird Al-esque song parodies, oh my! Paul and Arlo may be winding down their coverage of Matt Wagner's Grendel, the subject of this year's exceedingly popular (ahem) Four-Color Flashback series, but the story shows no signs of letting up in "God and the Devil" chapters 7-10. A cosmetically altered face from the distant past returns, incest is rationalized, and produce is used in an attempt to rape the sun. The boys question some of the story's leaps in logic and the general coherence of the Grendel cycle while admiring its utter batshit insanity and dynamic artwork. Plus, Paul watches TV (Arlo does too kind of) and Arlo's life has exploded.

Next: fall is in the air and blood is on the silver screen. Gobbledyween 2017 kicks off as Kenn Edwards of So Let's Get to the Point swings by to discuss M. Night Shyamalan's Signs.

Live from Denny's, it's Donora Hillard! The Jeff Bridges poet returns to talk about...pretty much everything with Paul and Arlo. While enjoying late-night diner ambiance, the gang discusses driving and the anxiety it causes; dance, of the So You Think You Can variety (featuring, upon special request, a rendition of Paul's classic Black Swan diatribe); tiny houses, one of which Donora owns; and what's in everyone's bags (Arlo's answers will amaze you). Plus David Lynch, Bunheads, arrested development (neither the rap group nor the television series)...everything.

Next: the boys take their penultimate trip to the hellish world of Matt Wagner's Grendel as this year's Four-Color Flashback nears its close, with a look at "God and the Devil, Part 2," collected in Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 3 - Orion's Reign.

Are you in the mood to Bone? I hope so, because Paul and Arlo are returning to the world of Jeff Smith's cartoonish epic, which they explored in last year's Four-Color Flashback series, to discuss the newly released 25th anniversary book Bone: Coda. The new adventure included in the volume is described as a "completely superfluous" addition to the saga of the Bone cousins--Fone, Phoney, and Smiley--which proves that there is indeed truth in advertising. The story picks up right where Smith's magnum opus left off in 2004, but it's merely a cute little one-off. The boys debate the merits of such an inconsequential return while discussing the other two-thirds of the book, which consist of Smith's memoir-esque piece "A Moveable Pizza Party" and Stephen Weiner's A Bone Companion (what, they couldn't get Hy Bender?). Plus, Paul spent his summer vacation reading 131 comic books and Arlo describes Akron's diverse grilled cheese climate.

Next: Jeff Bridges poet Donora Hillard returns to the show to talk about whatever she damn well pleases.

The truth is out there: season 3 of The X-Files is the show's strongest season. That is, if you can trust Paul, Arlo, and the inimitable Wesley "Wezzo" Mead as they have another of their periodic discussions of Chris Carter's '90s masterwork. What makes season 3 work so well? It might have something to do with the series' expanded tonal range--a tense thriller in "Pusher," Satanic panic meetsHeathers in "Syzygy"--and the confidence with which it tackles both the monster-of-the-week hours and the increasingly complex (or is that convoluted?) mytharc installments. Then there are the Darin Morgan episodes ("Clyde Bruckman's Final Repose," "War of the Coprophages," and "Jose Chung's From Outer Space"), which are something else entirely. Plus holy cow, UK politics have gotten super depressing since the last time Wezzo stopped by.
 
Next: Paul and Arlo return to Boneville, site of last year's Four-Color Flashback, for a look at the newly published Bone: Coda.

Q: How many drugs was Matt Wagner ingesting during the creation of Grendel? A: All of them. Paul and Arlo arrive at this conclusion in another Four-Color Flashback installment discussing Wagner's comics magnum opus, after reading chapters 1-6 of the "God and the Devil" storyline, collected in Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 3 - Orion's Reign. After the four-part "Incubation Years" arc leapt through time in bold and bizarre fashion, "God and the Devil" finds our heroes (just kidding, there are no heroes) in the year 2530. The world has gone to shit, with the Catholic Church going back to its Inquisition roots under the reign of Pope Innocent XLII. Meanwhile, both corporate auditor Orion Assante and drugged-out street rat Eppy Thatcher fight to bring down the Church...only one of them wears the mask of Grendel, but will both be consumed by his/its force? Plus, Arlo's sick again and the boys pay tribute to Gene Wilder and David Lavery.

Next: Wesley "Wezzo" Mead returns for another episode in our ongoing series discussing the seminal sci-fi show The X-Files. This time, we dig into season 3; yes, that's the one with "Jose Chung's."

Laika, the studio behind Coraline, ParaNorman, and The Boxtrolls, has gifted us with a new film: Kubo and the Two Strings, wherein a young one-eyed Japanese boy plays his magical shamisen and pals around with a Monkey and a Beetle while evading the evil grandfather looking to steal his other eye. As one does. Paul and Arlo get in tune with Kubo, digging into the film's symbolism, its unusual (for a mainstream animated film) themes of grief and impermanence, and how it perfects the nearly dead artform that is stop-motion animation. Is it suitable for kids? What does its underwhelming box office performance say about what audiences expect from animated films? And what does that polarizing ending mean? All this and more, plus Arlo saw an actual Beatle.

Next: for another great story that deserves a wider audience, Paul and Arlo continue their year-long Four-Color Flashback exploration of Matt Wagner's Grendel with "God and the Devil, Part 1," collected in Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 3, pp. 115-270.

Ever gotten so low you've thought about building a machine that'll transport your consciousness inside a tricaster? Yes? Well then, buddy, have we got the movie for you. (And if you're asking yourself what a tricaster is, you also should watch this movie!) Joseph Lewis, original Gobbler and one-third of the Three Heathens, tells Paul and Arlo all about his feature film directorial debut A/V. The gang discusses production highs and lows, the challenges of fight choreography on a shoestring budget, what it's like to hand a copy of your movie to Kevin Smith, and how Arlo plays the most crucial role in the film. This heathen's made good.

Next: Paul and Arlo tune up for Kubo and the Two Strings.

Suicide is painless, so they say. But is Suicide Squad? That's up to Paul and Arlo to decide, as they slather on clown makeup and hide their fuzzy pink unicorns to discuss the third film in the DC Extended Universe. Joining these Mostly Marvel Men is DC fan and opinionated tweeter Scott Stamper, known to the common folk as @DerfelMarek. Does the movie live up to its hype? Does it point to a bold new direction for the DCEU following the disappointments of Man of Steel and Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice? As usual, there is disagreement. Whod'a thunk it. Plus, Paul and Scott dive into the 2015 animated film Justice League: Gods and Monsters while Arlo listens.

Next: original Gobbler and proud member of the Three Heathens, Joseph Lewis stops by to talk about his feature directorial debut, A/V.

Willie Nelson, John Wayne, preachers, bloodsuckers, angels, and arsefaces. Welcome to the world of Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon's classic Vertigo comic book Preacher, which has now been adapted into a television series on AMC courtesy of Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Breaking Bad's Sam Catlin. Paul and Arlo previously analyzed the comic book on the blog back in 2012 and now set their sights on the show's recently wrapped first season. The show takes an interesting route in exploring this tale of a small-town preacher cursed with the Word of God; namely, the ten hours that aired this year feel like a prologue to the series proper. The boys discuss the effectiveness of that approach; the spot-on casting of Dominic Cooper, Joseph Gilgun, and Ruth Negga as the unholy triumvirate of Jesse, Cassidy, and Tulip; how the series stays true to the spirit of Ennis and Dillon's work, even without being able to drop an F-bomb; and what they hope they'll see in the second season. Plus, Paul travels No Man's Sky and Arlo becomes a beach bum.

Next: film buff Scott Stamper makes a pact with Paul and Arlo to discuss Suicide Squad.

This week on Gobbledygeek, Arlo has Pokémon fever! That's right, he has become one of the hordes of mindless zombies trawling their backyards and local establishments for Japanese pocket monsters via the Pokémon Go mobile game. Then, Paul reports live from San Diego Comic-Con 2016 (sort of)! He and Arlo give their scalding hot takes on footage from Wonder Woman, Justice League, and more! They get into the icky, misogynistic controversy surrounding the new animated film version of Batman: The Killing Joke! Is all of this a ploy to get you to actually listen to the next episode in our year-long Four-Color Flashback series analyzing Matt Wagner's Grendel? Why, yes! Yes, it is! No one cares, but this week, the boys dig into the bold, bizarre, brazen "Incubation Years," collected in Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 3 - Orion's Reign, pp. 10-112! It's good, we swear!

Next: after a week off, Paul and Arlo return to discuss the first season of AMC's Preacher adaptation. What's that? You haven't watched Preacher yet? Go watch Preacher.

Can you dislike Paul Feig's Ghostbusters reboot without being a woman-hating, frothing-at-the-mouth MRA cave troll? Well, Paul and Arlo sure hope so. While championing the concept of a female-led Ghostbusters movie and praising the comic abilities of the girls in gray--Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones--the boys deconstruct the problems not just with this film but modern mainstream comedies in general. They also dig into how this film's story breaks the mold set by the original movies, its attempts at social commentary, and its action- and CGI-stuffed climax. Plus, Paul delves into Stranger Things and reminds us he used to train Pokémon.

Next: it's Grendel time again, which means it's time for us to badger you--or anyone!--to read along with us. Our Four-Color Flashback exploration of Matt Wagner's epic tale continues with "The Incubation Years," collected in Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 3 - Orion's Reign, pp. 10-112.

The Geek Challenge. It's a time-honored tradition: Paul makes Arlo watch some silly '80s cheesefest, Arlo subjects Paul to a stuffy revered classic. Everyone loses. In the interest of restoring some spontaneity to this well-worn custom, this time Arlo forces upon Paul perhaps the cheesiest movie of the '80s, Y.K. Kim's 1987 cult "classic" Miami Connection, in which a group of power balladeers do battle with cocaine ninjas; while Paul finally makes Arlo watch 1956's Forbidden Planet, a retro-futuristic take on Shakespeare's The Tempest and a legitimate classic of the sci-fi genre. Once again, the boys try to get at what makes the other tick and just what makes a great movie anyway. Also, you'll never guess the very tenuous connection between the two films. No, really. You won't.

Next: there's somethin' strange in your neighborhood, and it's Paul Feig's distaff Ghostbusters reboot.

Descents into madness on the hellish streets of New York City. The tragic inevitability of violence. Bitter, brutal punchlines. This is the world of Matt Wagner's Grendel, which Paul and Arlo continue to explore in this year's Four-Color Flashback series. This time, the boys dip into Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 2 - The Legacy, pp. 377-549, for "The Devil Inside," wherein happy-go-lucky San Franciscan Brian Li-Sung has become corrupted by NYC and possibly some other forces; and "Devil Tales," in which an elderly Wiggins spins two yarns of the original Grendel, Hunter Rose. Paul and Arlo discuss the change of pace from the twelve-issue Christine Spar epic to smaller, self-contained stories; the indie comix stylings of Bernie Mireault; and how Wagner continues to push the boundaries of comic book storytelling. Plus, Arlo is allergic to podcasts!

Next: the boys take the week off to get all patriotic for July 4th, then return with another Geek Challenge. The tables will turn, with Arlo challenging Paul to a ludicrously awful '80s movie, Miami Connection; and Paul challenging Arlo to a genuine classic, Forbidden Planet.

Proving their first X-Files episode with renowned British person Wesley "Wezzo" Mead was no fluke, man, Paul and Arlo continue their sporadic discussion of Chris Carter's '90s phenom with a look at season 2. The gang casts their ominous flashlight beams on the season's highs and lows, Scully's abduction, the coming of Darin Morgan, and whether or not the mythology already shows signs of wear. Also, first-time viewer Arlo trusts no one's opinion. Plus, as usual, a conversation with Wezzo about the UK's dire political climate.

Next: our year-long Four-Color Flashback exploration of Matt Wagner’s Grendel continues with “The Devil Inside” and “Devil Tales,” collected in Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 2, pp. 371-542.

One is born of Harlem; one is born of vengeance. One hopes to attain the Glow; one hopes to slake the bloodthirst of the mother she never met. For the latest Geek Challenge, Paul challenges Arlo to 1985's Motown martial arts picture The Last Dragon, while Arlo challenges Paul to 1973's Japanese exploitation classic Lady Snowblood. (The two films are obviously very similar.) As always, the boys learn more about each other and the differences in how they perceive the cinematic world. Arlo loves hilariously bad "anti-great" movies, so why does The Last Dragon leave him bored? Paul digs tales of otherworldly revenge, so what is it about Lady Snowblood that doesn't quite click for him? Plus, before the usual disagreement, the boys concur in a brief, spoiler-free discussion of Yorgos Lanthimos' The Lobster.

Next: the truth? Still out there. Continuing our sporadic discussion of Chris Carter's seminal sci-fi series The X-Files, everybody's favorite Brit Wesley "Wezzo" Mead stops by to chat season 2.

I took the turkey's pen

Here we go again.

It’s Koko with that joke flow that cannot slow, you're like "oh, hell no"

But oh yes... success!

Tabrys is here to explain with the help of his inability to refrain

From outshouting Paul and AJ

On topics that are like dropkicks to your brain

Yo here's what this episode of Gobble is set to contain:

Random Dave Koz mentions!

Adult hyperactivity on display!

A random remembrance of The Postman Always Rings Twice!

How there's too much good stuff to watch and the resulting Fear Of Missing Out syndrome!

Things get weird!

Things get sexy!

Special Guest: Waterdancer, writer, and amateur knuckleballer A. Jason Tabrys.

Next: how to train your lady dragon? For another Geek Challenge, Paul and Arlo watch the very, very loosely connected martial arts movies Lady Snowblood and The Last Dragon.

Strap on your aprons and grab your spatulas, it's the new episode of Gobbledygeek! This week, Arlo finally gets Paul to go along with his crazy culinary crusade, as the boys cook two burgers apiece from The Bob's Burgers Burger Book. Paul slathers blueberries and watermelon on his, Arlo tosses some broccoli and artichoke on his; all laws of kitchen decorum go out the window when you're making burgers inspired by one of TV's weirdest and funniest shows. Plus, the boys delve into comics controversy with looks at DC Universe: Rebirth, Captain America: Steve Rogers, and Future Quest.

Next: "Koko B There," Jason Tabrys said. There was a great earthquake. The sun became black as sackcloth, and the moon became as red as blood.

Times are tough in Matt Wagner's nightmarish neon near-future New York as Paul and Arlo continue their year-long Four-Color Flashback trip through Grendel. This time, the boys finish out "Devil's Legacy" with chapters 8-12 of Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 2 (that's pp. 247-370, if you need to know). What exactly is the devil's legacy? How do Hunter Rose's actions reverberate through the generations, as his "step-granddaughter" Christine Spar once more puts on the mask and picks up the fork? Paul and Arlo search for an answer while drawing a through-line between Grendel and fellow class of '86-ers Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns, poring over the myriad bizarre details of the Pander Brothers' artwork, and lauding the achievements of one McGruff the Crime Dog. Plus, a brief, spoiler-free discussion of the pilot episode of AMC's Preacher adaptation.

Next: strap on your aprons and grab your spatulas! The Deli Counter of Justice authors man their own deli counters, each cooking two burgers apiece from The Bob's Burgers Burger Book.

After many months of mounting obsession, Paul and Arlo finally tackle Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway phenomenon Hamilton: An American Musical. (We hope you've been willing to wait for it.) Joining them is fellow Hamilton superfan Matthew Jackson, a contributing editor for Blastr.com and entertainment writer for Playboy.com. The gang discusses the impact Hamilton has had on them, its dizzying structure (both in terms of story and stage), the radical way it melds hip-hop with theater with history, and the potential it has for the future. Plus, there's a remembrance of the late, great comics artist and writer Darwyn Cooke.

Next: Paul and Arlo continue their year-long Four-Color Flashback exploration of Matt Wagner's Grendel with "Devil's Legacy, Pt. 2," collected in Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 2, pp. 247-370.

Are these the men with which I am to defend Captain America? Well yes, but ladies first: K. Dale Koontz and her husband/Wanna Cook? co-author Ensley F. Guffey, colloquially known as Guffey und Koontz, are here to talk Captain America: Civil War with Paul and Arlo. The 13th entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe trades world annihilation for an ideological spat, as Cap and Iron Man disagree about how best to flex the Avengers' supermuscle. The gang discusses this change of pace, whether the premise works, how it differs from the infamous comics event, and the franchise's new players (Black Panther! Spider-Man!). Plus, if that wasn't patriotic enough for you, The Americans continues to be one of the best shows on television.

Next: pop culture writer Matthew Jackson stops by to gush about Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical phenomenon Hamilton, including its new behind-the-scenes book, Hamilton: The Revolution.

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called life. Sometimes, that means mourning one of our fallen heroes. This week, Paul and Arlo celebrate the work of one Prince Rogers Nelson, who hybridized funk, rock, R&B, and soul into his own distinct brand of ass-wigglin', housequakin' music before passing away last month at the age of 57. The boys discuss their favorite songs and albums, from the iconic ("Purple Rain," "Kiss") to the more obscure ("Starfish and Coffee," "7"). Then they set their sights on four of the Purple One's films: 1984's melodramatic, kinetic Purple Rain; 1986's black-and-white curiosity Under the Cherry Moon; 1990's baffling Graffiti Bridge; and 1987's incredibly hard to find concert film Sign 'o' the Times. Let's go crazy. Plus, Paul went to a Beyoncé concert and there are brief, spoiler-free discussions of High-Rise and Keanu.

Next: it's patriotism vs. capitalism, independence vs. regulation, retro '40s ideals vs. cutting-edge smarm. Guffey und Koontz stop by to chat Captain America: Civil War.

For their second Four-Color Flashback installment discussing Matt Wagner's Grendel, Paul and Arlo jump into the first half of the first proper story arc, “Devil’s Legacy" chapters 1-7, collected in Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 2 - The Legacy, pp. 66-246. (This thing's had a convoluted publishing history.) Anyways, as the boys discover, there's been a radical shift from the series' introductory story. Gone is Wagner's Art Deco-cum-manga art style, replaced by the vibrant, angular artwork of Jacob and Arnold Pander; the storyline has also moved into the "near future" circa 1986, which thanks to some clever math, Paul figures out is probably somewhere around 2005. Most importantly, Grendel's mask is now worn by Hunter Rose's step-granddaughter, journalist Christine Spar, who is spurred into action by personal tragedy. Do these stylistic shifts work? Is Wagner's overblown dialogue a noir-ish affectation or merely self-indulgent? Remember when Donahue was a thing? All this and more, plus Paul and Arlo are shocked by the passing of Prince.

Next: so shocked, in fact, that our next episode is devoted to him. The boys will discuss Prince's music, as well as three of his films: 1984's Purple Rain, 1986's Under the Cherry Moon, and 1987's concert film Sign 'o' the Times.

Paul and Arlo want to believe. They also don't want to start yet another spin-off podcast, so this week marks the first of ten sporadic installments discussing Chris Carter's seminal sci-fi series The X-Files. Joining them to discuss the first season is Wesley "Wezzo" Mead, who beams on over from the UK in his (presumably very British) spaceship. Paul talks about what it was like to watch The X-Files every week with the lights out, Wezzo recalls discovering the show as a young TV obsessive, and Arlo offers the perspective of someone watching the show for the very first time. The gang loves the mutual respect between Mulder and Scully, struggles with some very "freshman season" hours, and are in unanimous agreement on the season's best episode. Plus, Arlo commits hate crimes against the British and there's a spoiler-free discussion of Jon Favreau's The Jungle Book.

Next: the second installment of our Four-Color Flashback series analyzing Matt Wagner's Grendel takes a look at Devil's Legacy, Pt. 1, collected in Grendel Omnibus: Vol. 2 - Legacy, pp. 66-246.

This week, Paul and Arlo transcend obscenity with Donora Hillard, whose writing takes many forms, including that sequined distillation of anxiety: poetry. Her new collection Jeff Bridges finds poetry in the man himself, an actor me and you and everyone we know loves instinctively. What is it about Bridges? What about him inspired a book's worth of poems? Paul and Arlo attempt to find the answer while discussing with Donora their struggles with poetry, why people think words are scary, and the Bridges-starring 1984 film Starman.

Next: in lieu of starting yet another spin-off podcast, Paul and Arlo are going to begin analyzing the seminal '90s sci-fi series The X-Files within Gobbledygeek itself. Wesley "Wezzo" Mead beams over from the UK  on his flying saucer to discuss the first season.

In this corner: striking terror into the hearts of cowardly and superstitious criminals, a creature of the night, black, terrible, it's the Dark Knight of Gotham City...Batman! And in this corner: faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, unable to get his own sequel not stuffed with a thousand other characters, it's the Last Son of Krypton...Superman! With Zack Snyder's hands in the toybox, they must now v each other in preparation for the dawn of next year's Justice League. Kenn Edwards, host of So Let's Get to the Point, joins Paul and Arlo to discuss the superheroic epic Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Is Snyder's Superman a Randian superman? How does Ben Affleck fare as the Caped Crusader? Is the film as much of a mess as you may have heard? The boys get to the bottom of all this, not to mention another of Kenn's metatextual monologues. Plus, Arlo's had a name change, and Paul saw Hamilton on Broadway.

Next: poet Donora Hillard joins us to discuss her new book Jeff Bridges. Plus a discussion of Starman!

It's happened again. Paul has become obsessed with another movie, necessitating a bonus episode that simply couldn't fit in the regular Gobbledygeek schedule. This time, Paul is wild about Disney's Zootopia, which tells the story of bunny cop Judy Hopps and con fox Nick Wilde, who team up on a case that goes to surprising lengths in uncovering systemic oppression in the animal kingdom. Paul and Arlo discuss the film's take on racism and sexism, debate its effectiveness in shedding light on those subjects, and discover some truly hideous "fan art."

Spring has sprung, which means it's time for another Four-Color Flashback! In years past, Paul and Arlo have explored the dream worlds of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman and the cartoonish fantasy of Jeff Smith's Bone. They'll be devoting 2016 to Matt Wagner's magnum opus Grendel. There's a wealth of material out there, but the boys will attempt to stick to the original series, which has been collected in various formats. For this introductory episode, they turn to the first Grendel story, "Devil by the Deed," which can be found in Grendel Omnibus: Volume One - Hunter Rose, pp. 7-45. What's it about? Good question! You see, there's this wealthy playboy named Hunter Rose who writes bestselling novels while also masquerading as Grendel, who seeks control of the mob underworld. In his downtime, he fights an Algonquin werewolf called Argent. Paul recalls what initially drew him to Grendel, while first-time reader Arlo finds it...interesting. The boys discuss Wagner's manga-meets-Art Deco style, his experimental storytelling, and how he inverts the whole hero/villain thing. Plus, there's talk of Daredevil season 2.

Next: after a week off, it's Paul v Arlo: Dawn of Kenn.

When the apocalypse happens, wouldn't you want to wake up in an underground bunker, shackled to a wall and pricked with a makeshift IV by none other than American screen luminary John Goodman? Well, cult icon-in-the-making Mary Elizabeth Winstead isn't thrilled by her new circumstances, while the amiably bearded John Gallagher Jr. just wants everyone to get along. Paul and AJ, meanwhile, contemplate 10 Cloverfield Lane's connection to 2008's found footage monster mash Cloverfield, debate its effectiveness as a psychological thriller, and stick up for child killers (wait, no, that's just Paul). Plus, AJ's dying. Again.

Next: Four-Color Flashback 2016 kicks off with a look at the first story arc of Matt Wagner's Grendel, "Devil by the Deed."

Later this month, Paul and AJ will begin a new Four-Color Flashback series exploring Matt Wagner's Grendel. Before they do, though, they're making a return trip to the Dreaming for another look at Neil Gaiman's The Sandman, which they pored over in 2014. Their The Deli Counter of Justice collaborator Eric Sipple joins the boys to discuss The Sandman: Overture, which takes place both before and after Gaiman's original 75-issue opus. The gang raves about J.H. Williams III's mind-expanding artwork, discusses how Overture fares as a prequel, questions its additions to the mythos, and compares the Dream we met in the first chapter of The Sandman to the one we know by the final chapter of Overture.

Next: after a week off, the boys visit their neighbors down at 10 Cloverfield Lane.

Paul and AJ take one final plunge into Hitchcock Month for a look at 1945's Spellbound, in which Ingrid Bergman falls in love with Gregory Peck on the way to psychoanalyzing him; and 1958's Vertigo, wherein James Stewart becomes obsessed with Kim Novak, or at least his (and Hitchcock's) icy blonde ideal of her. Joining them on this downhill drive is Broken Magic author and The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor Eric Sipple. The boys discuss how the films deal with love and dreams, how much Hitchcock intentionally revealed of himself in his work, Salvador Dalí's surreal contribution to Spellbound, and what Vertigo's reputation as the new greatest movie ever made means for its legacy.

Next: Eric is back for another dreamy outing, as we return to the series we covered in 2014's Four-Color Flashback for The Sandman: Overture by Neil Gaiman and J.H. Williams III.

How many walls does a podcast have? Can we break them? Because movies have four, and Deadpool takes a wrecking ball to the fourth one. In the midst of Hitchcock Month, Paul and AJ are rolling out a bonus episode about the Merc with a Mouth's meta movie. Neither one of them are particularly enamored with the Deadpool of comics fame, but how does that affect their view of Ryan Reynolds' passion project? (Spoiler alert: they disagree. Kind of.) Under discussion: the movie's raunchy sense of humor, whether or not it has a heart, Reynolds' RDJ moment, and what Deadpool's success could mean for the future of offbeat superhero movies. Nary a chimichanga in sight.

For the penultimate installment of Hitchcock Month, Paul and AJ continue their tour of Hitch's limited-setting films with a look at 1944's Lifeboat, wherein a group including Tallulah Bankhead's socialite reporter winds up sailing under Walter Slezak's Nazi; and 1954's Dial M for Murder, in which the dashing Ray Milland conspires to murder the unfaithful Grace Kelly. Joining them is Ensley F. Guffey, one-half of Guffey und Koontz, the writing team behind Wanna Cook? The Complete, Unofficial Companion to Breaking Bad. Ensley is also admittedly not much of a Hitchcock fan, which makes for some interesting discussion. The boys debate the merit of these films, which by some accounts may be the least interesting selections so far; delve into the political climate that birthed Lifeboat; wonder what Dial M for Murder would have looked like in 3D; and take a guess at what drew Hitchcock to confined spaces.

Next: Hitchcock Month closes with a leap of faith from Broken Magic author and The Deli Counter of Justice co-editor Eric Sipple, as the gang talks 1945's Spellbound and 1958's Vertigo.

Three men. One room. Now the fun begins. (Feel free to interpret that any way you wish.) Hitchcock Month continues, as A/V writer-director Joseph Lewis drops by to discuss 1948's Rope, wherein John Dall and Farley Granger's perfect murder is in danger of being unraveled by Jimmy Stewart; and 1954's Rear Window, in which Stewart's busted-up photographer spies on his neighbors, including a potentially murderous Raymond Burr. Paul, AJ, and Joe discuss the one-take gimmickry of Rope and how it translates the stage to screen; the homosexual subtext (or text) of that film; what Hitchcock had to say about voyeurs; and Hitch's subversive casting of the all-American Jimmy Stewart.

Next: Hitchcock Month continues, as Wanna Cook? co-author Ensley F. Guffey discusses 1944's Lifeboat and 1954's Dial M for Murder.

In years past, Paul and AJ have devoted month-long chunks of the show to Quentin Tarantino, modern film's remix master; and Hayao Miyazaki, Japan's animation master. For 2016, the boys are devoting February to another cinematic maestro: Alfred Hitchcock, the Master of Suspense. The first pair of films under discussion are 1943's Shadow of a Doubt, wherein Joseph Cotten's killer misanthrope shares blood (and a telepathic link) with young Teresa Wright; and 1951's Strangers on a Train, in which Robert Walker commits a murder for Farley Granger and expects him to return the favor. Joining Paul and AJ for this double about doubles is Aja Romano, geek culture writer for The Daily Dot, who educates the boys on why these are her favorite Hitchcock films. The gang talks Hitchcock's perfect mise en scene, why and how trains are important to the Master's work, the films' incestuous and homoerotic (not to mention vampiric!) undertones, and much more.

Next: Hitchcock Month continues as A/V writer-director Joseph Lewis confines the boys to one podcast for 1948's Rope and 1954's Rear Window.

As 2016 begins, it is more apparent than ever that Americans are badly in need of enlightenment. Paul and AJ have chosen the form of the Enlightener, and he is none other than everyone's favorite wacky British neighbor, Wesley "Wezzo" Mead. Wezzo enlightens the boys' American ears with talk of how his own country has fallen apart following last summer's Labour election, the documentary series I'll Have What Phil's Having, how he simply could not endure The Revenant, and Don Hertzfeldt's short film World of Tomorrow. Plus, AJ's dying!

Next: Hitchcock Month begins with The Daily Dot writer Aja Romano joining the boys to discuss 1943's Shadow of a Doubt and 1951's Strangers on a Train.

Don your dead general's coat and strap on those snowshoes; for the Gobbledygeek season 7 premiere, we're taking the last stage to Red Rock for a discussion of Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight. Bringing Paul and AJ up to a Somewhat Disgruntled Four are Wanna Cook? author Ensley F. Guffey and A/V writer-director Joseph Lewis. Ensley, a bonafide historian, teaches us how Tarantino plays with historical symbolism; while Joe, a die-hard Tarantino fan, tells us of the religiosity of his Hateful Eight 70mm experience. The gang also discusses the film's handling of race and misogyny, how Tarantino borrows from The Thing, whether or not the film is a convincing mystery, and more. Plus, the boys pay tribute to the icons 2016 has already stolen from us.

Next: break out your scones, guv'nor. It's time once more for the delightfully British Wesley "Wezzo" Mead to make his journey across the pond.