Graphic Detail Episode #37b, "Irish Eyes, B-side", is available, in iTunes, or for direct download here:
http://www.teslacorps.com/graphicdetail/podcasts/content/podcasts/GD_037b.mp3We speak of many things, including Simon Dark #18, The Mighty #2, Battle for the Cowl, No Heroics, War of Kings #1, Guardians of the Galaxy #11, Deadpool #8, Dark Avengers #1,Thunderbolts #129, Rebels #2, HellBlazer #252, Daredevil #116, & Spiderman 2099.
Charles mourns the end of a series he liked, Simon Dark, but describes the end as a bit muddled and confused, terms which could well be applied to the rest of the series.
Charles and Randal discuss The Mighty #2, which is shaping up to be a case of false advertising.
Randal and Stin discuss Battle for the Cowl, which turns into an episode of Musical Chairs: Gotham, as we debate who ought to take on which costumed identities now that everything's in flux. And Stin describes what things might make him like Jason Todd again, all of which involve Jason Todd's death. Go figure.
Charles brings up the BBC sitcom No Heroics, which is kind of like The Tick crossed with Cheers. He makes it sounds rather appealing, until he kills it trying to bring the magic home by reciting the best jokes. Badly. For those interested in the series, more info is on Wikipedia here (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Heroics). Interestingly, ABC is going to try to create an American version of this -- a blurb on the story, and a couple of clips of the British series, are here
http://www.televisionaryblog.com/2009/0 ... -dons.html and here
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/40073 . Feel free to react with whatever levels of optimism that you find customary.
The discussion of War of Kings mostly revolves around how much Gladiator kicks ass, and how there is nothing sadder than the tears of a Kree Accuser. No one sings the blues like the Kree.
Deadpool comedy ensues, along with Dark Avengers and Thunderbolts commentary. We're still waiting for Norman to get his psychopathic ass handed to him, but, honestly, I'm not reading the series and my memory of this bit blurs in with my memory of all of the other podcasts that are currently waiting for the same thing. Perhaps Randal or Stin could fill in some details. Or you could just listen. Honestly, why do you think we record this stuff if you're not even going to listen?
Stin rants on how absolutely horrible Milligan is on Hellblazer, and how he's furiously undoing all of Diggle's good work. I'm convinced, and I don't even read the book.
More on the coolness of R.E.B.E.L.S., which Randal is reading. And which I will be, if HeavyInk will ever send me #1.
And the Spiderman 2099 trade is coming out shortly, the consensus being that it's great and you should read it. So go do that, and report back to us.
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Now, with that out of the way... It is with both regret and relief that Randal, Stin, and I must announce and this is our last Graphic Detail episode, probably forever, but certainly for the foreseeable future.
We've collectively done a total of 40 episodes over the last year and a half, with episode download stats ranging between 50 and 1500 depending on the episode/topic... far more than we expected or -- quite honestly -- can properly understand. And while it has often been very fun, and we've often enjoyed the reading and the occasional (very occasional) appreciation of our moderately valued listeners, there are certain frustrations that have grown over time and we'd rather quit now while we still like each other. We don't think about books the same way, we often don't like and aren't bothered by the same things, we don't entirely want the same things from the podcast, and over time the disparity between how we each, with our own friends, would naturally have a comics conversation and how we end up talking about them with each other on the podcast has made the podcast itself increasingly a strain. When you add that to the fact that we're often reading books based on our friends' choices that we know, from before we even start, that we aren't going to enjoy... it has gradually turned what was simply a bit of fun into something much more resembling work -- or, even worse, homework (work that you don't get paid for and may actually have to pay for the privilege of doing). Homework that never ends, that never culminates in finals and never stops at the end of the semester.
We have each experienced this frustration to one degree or the other, and the last few episodes have brought that home. Particularly as job pressures increase for some of us, and the desperate desire to go back to reading things that we like just because we like them mounts. (I, for one, have several stacks of non-illustrated fiction that have been growing, and the thought of having time to get to them fills me with unholy and probably illegal amounts of glee.)
So, with those things in mind, we're calling it quits. If you were a listener, we're sorry for the deep and eternal void that is about to be left in your life, and suggest that turn to the traditional remedies -- religion, sex, and drugs -- to fill it. Those will, of course, be futile... but if you keep a diary while you do them, you'll always have something entertaining to read at the airport. And, with any luck, the ANTiFanboys will return to their rightful place as the primary regular podcast of our forum. Who knows, some of us may even produce spin-offs with other forum folks. It's been known to happen....
On a personal note: I'd like to say that I've massively enjoyed my time with Randal and Stin. While it hasn't always been smooth, the rougher bits have been trivial compared to what I've gotten from the experience, the great books that I've read that I wouldn't have otherwise, and the conversations that I've had with two guys who are smart, funny, good-hearted, and generally a pleasure to be with. Christian has been consistently great as our recurring 4th, and our guests Devon, Jon, DeCerbo, Tony, and StevieD have been fantastic. (Sorry we could never get you back on, Steve-O.) I couldn't ask for a greater group of guys to talk with on a regular basis, and I'm grateful that the forums will still be where they've always been so that the conversations can continue.
Thank you, and good night.
Charles, for Graphic Detail
