Positively Nerdy

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again discuss all things cinematic with the latest episode of Ryan and Leah: At the Movies! This time around we’re talking about Metallica’s Through the Never, Don Jon and Gravity! After the new movie discussion it’s time to celebrate Halloween as Ryan and Leah share a list of some of their favorite horror movies! Here’s what awaits you in this week’s episode: Ryan went and saw the Metallica concert film Through the Never which is so much more than a concert film and talking about the movie sends Ryan’s fandom into overdrive. Leah went and saw Don Jon and was surprised by not only how good it was but how much a certain subject was showcased in the film. Ryan and Leah also both saw (unfortunately not together) Gravity. The film is incredibly compelling and dramatic and Ryan calls it the best movie he’s seen this year! Leah’s Cinematic Consultation for this episode kicks off our horror movie discussion with The ABC’s of Death. Then, in an attempt to cover as much horror as possible, Ryan and Leah run down a list of horror movie categories and subgenres. They each select two movies to represent each category, without being able to re-use any single film. Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.comleah@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again go back and get caught up on comic goodness with Comics With Catch-Up! In this episode we’re celebrating the month of October and Halloween with a trio of Batman issues that make up the criminally-overlooked story: Dark Knight, Dark City! Taking place in issues 452, 453 and 454 of Batman, this is a Batman story unlike any other. Combining several wonderful elements of what makes Batman such an interesting character, Dark Knight, Dark City is not to be missed. Featuring the Riddler as the primary villain, Batman is forced to complete a variety of the Riddler’s puzzles and challenges in a story that help to paint the long, dark history of the city of Gotham. Dark Knight, Dark City written by Peter Milligan with art from Kieron Dwyer, crafts a history and even a personality to the city Batman calls home. Elements of this story have been revisited in recent years by all-time Batman writers such as Grant Morrison and Scott Snyder. It’s required October reading for Batman fans and a great way to kick-off this year’s Halloween celebration on Positively Nerdy! Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! Suine Hallock is back to once again discuss the comic book exploits of an entirely different group of mutants. You’re used to Suine and I talk TMNT but now we’re back for the second installment of our coverage of the X-Men crossover event: The Battle of the Atom!In this episode the Battle of the Atom event moves into Uncanny X-Men #12 and Wolverine and the X-Men #36. The debate rages across each group of various X-Men on whether or not the Original X-Men should be sent back to their own timeline. The debate renews old rivalries, tears apart friendships and forces characters to take a long, hard look at themselves – literally. Suine and I discuss the highs and lows of the issues and their place in the event as a whole. There’s a lot to like from great characters, dialogue and situations which leaves not very much left to hhhhate. Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again explore the world of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics along side co-host Suine Hallock in the latest installment of the Radical Corner of Turtle Comic Talk! In this episode we discuss the Hun one-shot, issue #26 of the ongoing series and issue #3 of the New Animated Adventures. As City Fall continues to move methodically and dramatically toward was is sure to be an amazing finale, Suine and I discuss every aspect of the most recent issues. First up, it’s the latest Villains Micro-Series issue featuring Hun! As has been the case with most of this series, the mysteries behind this character are very different than what fans think they know. As do most of the Villains issues, Hun’s leads right into the newest issue of the ongoing series, issue #26. The Turtles are scattered, each dealing with the loss of Leo, and the preparation to get him back, in a different way. Meanwhile Splinter is compromising his values and the Foot continues to battle the Savate in the escalating battle for New York City. And finally, we discuss the latest issue of the new Animated Adventures series featuring…zombies??? Well, maybe not. But a very fun issue all the same

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time for another round of comic book reviews, this time for the comic released in the second half of September 2013. Another episode devoid of DC Comics but there’s plenty of all-ages titles to talk about, some very NOT all-ages series from Image Comic and all the superhero fun from Marvel!Comics Reviewed in This Episode: Red5: Bodie Troll #3 (of 4) Studio Farlaine: Farlaine the Goblin #1 (of 3…?) Archaia: Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #3 (of 4) Image: Rat Queens #1 Todd: The Ugliest Kid on Earth #5 Saga #14IDW: Star Trek #25Marvel: Savage Wolverine #8 Uncanny Avengers #12 Infinity #3 Ultimate Spider-Man #27 Scarlet Spider #22 Superior Spider-Man #18 Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again discuss all things cinematic with the latest episode of Ryan and Leah: At the Movies! This time around we’re talking about Escape From Tomorrow and some Star Wars Episode VII speculation before Leah takes over with a trio of thrillers: An American Crime, Compliance and Prisoners before another fun discussion on the differences between thrillers and horror movies! Here’s what awaits you in this week’s episode: We didn’t need to go ‘to the movies’ to see the premiere of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD but since it ties into Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, we talk about it anyway. You might’ve heard about a movie called Escape from Tomorrow, a horror movie shot guerilla-style on location at Disneyland and Walt Disney World. You won’t here Disney talking about it but don’t worry – we will be, right up until its release in October and we’ll be back to discuss it afterwards. There’s been rumors flying around the internet for months regarding the future Star Wars films but some of them are starting to stick. Ryan discusses some of the latest and tries not to get his hopes up about Thrawn – since he knows it won’t happen! Leah’s Cinematic Consultation for this episode is An America Crime, a disturbing, true-crime thriller of imprisonment and torture starring Ellen Page and Catherine Keener. Keeping the theme going Leah shares thoughts on a recent viewing of Compliance, another true life movie about a prank caller manipulating fast food employees. Leah was the only one of the two hosts to make it to the theater to see a new movie for this episode. Prisoners, starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal, may not be based on a true story but carries the same tension and disturbing intensity as the rest of the movies Leah’s discussed in this episode. Finally Leah and Ryan run down a list of films and try and determine if the films should be considered a horror movie, or a thriller. We’ll be back in October with plenty of discussions on Halloween-themed movies as well as sharing some of our favorites, so we’d love to hear what some of your favorite movies are. Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com leah@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again go back and get caught up on comic goodness with Comics With Catch-Up! In this episode we’re taking a look at a random sampling of Marvel comics. Four different issues from four different decades!We return to the mysterious side of Comics With Catch-Up thanks to a comic book grab bag from a discount retailer. Typically these grab bags offer a wide variety of comics from different eras and publishers. However this selection belongs entirely to the House of Ideas and covers four separate decades. Working backwards we begin with the fifth issue of the Storm mini-series that was a prelude to the ‘Wedding of the Century’ between Storm and Black Panther. Then it’s back to the 90’s for Darkhawk #37 as Darkhawk battles Venom and many more foes. The 80’s are up next with Avengers #249 and a story that features a massive battle that includes not only the Avengers but the Warriors Three and the Fantastic Four as well! And we wrap this episode up with Fantastic Four #187 as the Fantastic Four battle Klaw and the Molecule Man with an appearance by the one and only Impossible Man!Its four decades of Marvel comic history that highlights the similarities as well as differences over the many years. They sure don’t make ‘em like they used to…

Welcome, for the 100th time, to Positively Nerdy! Suine Hallock is my co-host once again but this time we’re discussing the comic book exploits of an entirely different group of mutants. Despite the strain of event fatigue elsewhere in current comic storytelling, Suine and I are diving head first into X-Men: Battle of the Atom! X-Men: Battle of the Atom is the first X-Men crossover of MarvelNOW! and is taking full advantage of the rich storytelling currently taking place in the various X-books, most notably All-New X-Men. The original five X-Men were brought to the present by Hank McCoy in the hopes of showing Cyclops what he has become and to show the young X-Men a future they should fight to avoid. As things start to go wrong, the X-Men of the future arrive in the present with the news that the original X-Men must return to their own time, to prevent a terrible future that could spell the end of all mutant kind. In this first episode highlighting the Battle of the Atom event, Suine and I discuss the kick-off issue Battle of the Atom #1 as well as All-New X-Men #16 and X-Men #5. Can the X-Men of the future be trusted? Who are these mysterious new, yet familiar X-Men? Will the Beast ever stop mutating? The Battle of the Atom event is off to a terrific start, maintaining the momentum of all the terrific X-books currently being published. Even if you’re not currently reading any of the X-books involved in this series, we’d strongly recommend coming on board. This is a terrific event that promises plenty of surprises along the way. Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It's time for another round of comic book reviews, this time for the comics released in the first half of September 2013. A shorter list than usual, thanks to villains month at DC, but there's no shortage of quality titles including Superior Spider-Man, Trillium, The Star Wars and Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard!Comics Reviewed in this episode:Image Comics:Reality Check #1Chew #36Archaia:Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Volume 2 #2Dark Horse:The Star Wars #1Star Wars #9Vertigo:Trillium #2DC:DC Universe vs. Master of the UniverseMarvel:Indestructible Hulk #13Infinity #2Superior Foes of Spider-Man #3Superior Spider-Man #17Visit:www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again discuss all things cinematic with the latest episode of Ryan and Leah: At the Movies! This time around we’re talking The Spectacular Now and Riddick as well as the trailers for Divergent and RoboCop and we wrap it all up with a fun discussion on the differences between remakes, reboots and sequels! WARNING: Some listeners have experienced technical difficulties with this episode, others have not. It's hard to determine what is wrong when I'm not getting consistent feedback. Please feel free to let me know if you experience any difficulty in enjoying this episode.Here’s what awaits you in this week’s episode: Leah went and saw The Spectacular Now, was surprised by film, like the fact that it was a ‘teen movie’ but that didn’t stop her from enjoying it. Ryan went and saw Riddick and had a blast watching the character of Riddick get back to basics in a big, fun sci-fi action film. Then it’s time for Leah’s Cinematic Consultation! This episode’s selection is the hilarious murder mystery: Clue! Leah and Ryan both watched the trailer for Divergent, in Ryan’s case right before recording began, and both had critical reactions to the book it’s adapted from, the concept and the trailer itself. Next up is the trailer for the RoboCop remake. Ryan might want to hate it, and in some ways he does, but he has to admit, his curiosity is getting the better of him. Leah’s not too familiar with the original and still finds most of the trailer needlessly emotional. One thing we all agree on: Michael Keaton is awesome. And since so many people are referring to RoboCop as a reboot, even though we clearly see it as a remake, we thought it’d be fun to make a list of films and decide: Remake, Reboot or Sequel? As a part of the game we discuss the rush of horror movie remakes – or are they? The rebooting of superhero franchises. We include several oddly random selections including U.S. Marshals, Home Alone 3 and Casino Royale. And we look ahead to the cinematic future and discuss where films like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jurassic World and X-Men: Days of Future Past might fall with those selections. Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com leah@positivelynerdy.com Here’s what awaits you in this week’s episode:Here’s what awaits you in this week’s episode

It’s time to once again go back and get caught up on comic goodness with Comics With Catch-Up! In this episode we’re taking a look at Monster on the Hill by Rob Harrell! It’s been far too long since I featured an all-ages title on Comics With Catch-Up. I am constantly preaching, usually in my comic review episodes, that all-ages does not simply mean ‘for kids’. All-ages means exactly that: all ages will enjoy the story. In the past few years we’ve seen a significant rise in quantity as well as quality of all ages stories including Mouse Guard, Super Dinosaur and Cow Boy – just to name a few of my favorites. Now a new story has joined that list, thanks to creator Rob Harrell. His new graphic novel Monster on the Hill, is a delightful tale of friendship and self-discovery. In a very different 1860’s England every town is terrorized by its own monster. These monsters are a great source of pride for their towns – except one. Rayburn wants to be the monster his town needs, he just doesn’t know how. It’ll take the help of his new, unlikely friends to help him save his town from a great threat. Harrell’s story is charming from start to finish with delightful and engaging characters starring in a clever concept.Monster on the Hill is worthy addition to the recent increase in all-ages comic books and on that delivers a fun, page-turning adventure with the style and energy of a Pixar film.

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again explore the world of IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics along side co-host Suine Hallock in the latest installment of the Radical Corner of Turtle Comic Talk! In this episode we discuss the Karai one-shot, issue #25 of the ongoing series and issue #2 of the New Animated Adventures. Have we said already that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series from IDW Publishing just keeps getting better and better? We have? Oh well, the fact remains that this series just keeps getting better and better. Suine and I break down the details in Karai’s one-shot and discuss her repeating history with restoring the Foot Clan. She succeeded once before, will her secret weapon help her do it again? In the ongoing series, City Fall rages on. The Savate refuse to back down to the Foot Clan and go to extreme measures to prove their point, Raphael begins tearing the city apart for information on Leo, Splinter enters into a deal with the devil in Old Hob and Leonardo might be dressing like a Foot Clan member but his assimilation is far from complete. If that weren’t enough Casey and April’s relationship gets kicked up a notch, Mikey saves the day and some jaw-dropping clues are revealed featuring Casey’s father. There’s also the second issue of the New Animated Adventures to discuss, which thankfully isn’t nearly as intense as the main series so it’s a nice cool down discussion to end the episode.

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time for another round of comic book reviews, this time for the comic released in the second half of August 2013. Lots of fun and surprises in this episode including the return of Super Dinosaur as well as Masters of the Universe, Wonder Woman, Batman/Superman and Star Wars! Comics Reviewed in this episode: Image: Super Dinosaur #20 Skullkickers #24 Dark Horse: Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #5 (of 5) DC: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #5 Justice League #23 Aquaman #23 Wonder Woman #23 Superman Unchained #3 Batman/Superman #3 Batman and Nightwing #23 Batman ’66 #2 Marvel: FF #11 Thanos Rising #5 (of 5) Ultimate Spider-Man #26 Scarlet Spider #21 Superior Spider-Man #16 Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again discuss all things cinematic with the latest episode of Ryan and Leah: At the Movies! This time around we’re talking The World’s End, which allows us to look back at Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, and we also talk Kick-Ass 2, Lee Daniels’ The Butler and some recent casting news you might’ve already heard about. Here’s what awaits you in this week’s episode: Unfortunately we can’t avoid discussing the news that Ben Affleck has been cast as the new cinematic Batman. We think its too early to tell whether this is a good idea or not but there’s way more to be worried about with DC movies than who’s playing who. And this will be the last Ben Affleck/Batman talk until the movie has its full cast and is well underway. We also address the more recent rumors of Bryan Cranston as Lex Luthor and Timothy Dalton as Alfred Pennyworth. Ryan was hoping to avoid the results of the recent poll from Star Trek Las Vegas but, alas, we get into the ‘fan’ poll that declared Star Trek: Into Darkness the worst all the Star Trek movies. It’s not! Then Ryan shares his thoughts on Kick-Ass 2, he enjoyed it but it didn’t stick with him. Then its Leah’s turn as she discusses Lee Daniels’ The Butler and everything she enjoyed about the film. Leading up the discussion of The World’s End we talk about the comedic genius that is Shaun of the Dead as well as the personal connection it represents for us. The first of Leah’s two, yes two, cinematic consultations is Run Fatboy Run. The Simon Pegg and Nick Frost hilarity continues in Hot Fuzz. The second, yes second, cinematic consultation is Pirate Radio. Then we wrap up with the main event and our discussion/review of The World’s End. Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com leah@positivelynerdy.comHead over to iTunes by August 31st (DEADLINE EXTENDED! You still have time to leave a review!) and leave a review for Positively Nerdy to become eligible to win an autographed comic or a Marvel Comics Omnibus. Two reviews will be selected at random as winners. The prizes in question: A Forbidden Planet Exclusive copy of Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 #1 signed by writer Tony Lee and artist JK Woodward and A Marvel Omnibus Hardcover of the X-Men: Fall of Mutants crossover event. Go to iTunes, leave a review and you’re entered to win! It’s that simple!

Welcome to Positively Nerdy! It’s time to once again join in on the reading and rapid page turning that is: Ryan and Rob Choose Their Own Adventure! Brace yourselves, dear listeners, for this is the most outrageous episode yet as Ryan and Rob continue to work their way through Fire on the Water in this, the fourth installment of our ongoing series through the books of Lone Wolf. Here we are four episodes in and we are still working our way through the second book in the series. But if you think that means things have slowed down or gotten boring, think again! In this episode Rob and I find death waiting for us down every hallway (seriously, every hallway) and travel back in time to figure out where it all went wrong. And if that wasn’t enough, the exciting climax become a little too exciting for the two of us as some of the words chosen to describe certain events toward the end of our episode are unfortunate and immaturity overtakes us. An episode unlike any other and the most fun Rob and I have had recording yet. Here’s hoping you all like it too! And there’s a much better cliffhanger this time around so be sure to send your suggestion so we can use them in the next episode. Visit: www.positivelynerdy.com Contact Ryan: Twitter: @positivelynerdy E-Mail: ryan@positivelynerdy.com Head over to iTunes by August 31st (DEADLINE EXTENDED! You still have time to leave a review!) and leave a review for Positively Nerdy to become eligible to win an autographed comic or a Marvel Comics Omnibus. Two reviews will be selected at random as winners. The prizes in question: A Forbidden Planet Exclusive copy of Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 #1 signed by writer Tony Lee and artist JK Woodward and A Marvel Omnibus Hardcover of the X-Men: Fall of Mutants crossover event. Go to iTunes, leave a review and you’re entered to win! It’s that simple!