All posts by Ian

Podcast

Comic Timing – Episode 196: Captain Marvel Movie Review

Leave a comment

Hear Raph, Brent, Kris and Ian get a bit punchy, as it’s time to review Marvel Studio’s latest cinema offering: Captain Marvel! Was Brie Larson able to make her stamp on the well established MCU, or did things fall flat? Depends on who in the cast you ask; hint, Brent’s the least convinced. There are plenty of nicks to pick and some genuine grievances over plot, execution, and call signs, as well as thoughts on bright spots and discussion on plot twists, but do listen in to hear the full story. Spoilers abound, as usual, so wait until after you’ve seen the film to check this episode out, unless you don’t mind knowing everything beforehand.

You can e-mail the show at comictiming@gmail.com and be sure to Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming. You can follow Ian on Twitter @i_am_scifi, on Instagram at i_am_scifi or on Tumblr at heehaw-ds9.tumblr.com, and he is now a regular voice in the rotation on the Comic Geek Speak podcast; Brent is on Twitter @kossinab, and he posts regularly to YouTube on his channel, BK’s Bullets; Raph can be found on Twitter @RaphDoesStuff and at the Nerd Ranting blog, and he posts articles and comic reviews regularly for ComicsVerse. Or you can add to his GoFundMe campaign, while Raph awaits disability. Kris is on Twitter @lampbane and @KrisNaudus for the professional Tweets, and Instagram at lampbane, and she writes and contributes content regularly over at Engadget.

And please make sure to head over to Kickstarter and check out Masked Prejudice – A Superhero Anthology for Social Justice, and anthology Raph contributed a story to! The campaign still has about a month to go, so do contribute to making this a reality if you can. In other Kickstarter news, Kwanza Osajyefo and Jamal Igle have lauched the follow-up six issue miniseries to the critically acclaimed BLACK, entitled WHITE. I highly recommend it.


Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you all next time!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:39:59 — 55.4MB)

Podcast

Comic Timing – Episode 195: Comic Shops, St. Mark’s and Shownotes

1 Comment
The photo Kris took that got Mitch mad.

Episode 195 of Comic Timing finally hits the stands, as Ian, Raph, and Kris gather together to discuss the ever-changing world of comic shops. This entire conversation was spurred on by the closing of one of New York City’s oldest shops, St. Marks Comics. The store was beloved by some, and not so much by others. We discuss why this was the case, what it takes to run a comic shop in this day and age, and how stores can adapt and grow to welcome in customers for years to come, and how the comics industry can do the same, including the 100-page giants that are now no longer Walmart exclusives. Plus, some talk on how comic shops in America can take some cues from what shops do overseas.

Some other shops mentioned on this episode include Isotope Comics in San Francisco, Amalgam Comics & Coffeehouse and Brave New Worlds in Philadelphia, Anyone Comics, Desert Island Comics and Bulletproof Comics in Brooklyn, Challengers Comics and Gmart Comics in Chicago, Docking Bay 93 in Mount Vernon and Olympic Comics and Cards in Lacey, Washington, Collector Cave in The Bronx, Forbidden Planet, Midtown Comics, JHU Comics and Montasy Comics in Manhattan, and overseas shops like the main Forbidden Planet in London, Smallville Comics in South Africa, All-Star Comics in Melbourne, Bulles en tête in Paris, and Galaxy Comics and Collectibles in Winnipeg.

You can e-mail the show at comictiming@gmail.com and be sure to Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming. You can follow Ian on Twitter @i_am_scifi, on Instagram at i_am_scifi or on Tumblr at heehaw-ds9.tumblr.com, and he is now a regular voice in the rotation on the Comic Geek Speak podcast; Brent isn’t on this episode, but he is on Twitter @kossinab, and he posts regularly to YouTube on his channel, BK’s Bullets; Raph can be found on Twitter @RaphDoesStuff and at the Nerd Ranting blog, and he posts articles and comic reviews regularly for ComicsVerse. He also works occasionally at Midtown Comics so do stop on by and say hello. Kris is on Twitter @lampbane and @KrisNaudus for the professional Tweets, and Instagram at lampbane, and she writes and contributes content regularly over at Engadget; most recently, she was at Toy Faire and got to play with some cool Hot Wheels and Lego.

And please, if you have any funds to spare, do throw a couple of bucks Raph’s way. He has a GoFundMe set up as he awaits disability, as he is currently dealing with regular kidney dialysis and can only do so much on a day to day basis. Any little bit helps keep Raph rolling on a regular basis.

We hope to post a bit more regularly in the coming months, so until next time, read some good stuff!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:32:58 — 51.0MB)

Podcast

Comic Timing – Episode 194: In Memory of Stan Lee

Leave a comment

This week, the comic book community lost its greatest spokesman, and one of its most storied creators. Stanley Lieber, aka Stan “The Man” Lee, passed away earlier this week at the age of 95. This episode, Brent, Brandon, Ian and Raph wax poetic on his legacy, especially touching on what Stan meant to us, and to pop culture at large. We also go over some recent reads, because how else would you celebrate the man who made Marvel than to talk about some comics?

You can e-mail the show at comictiming@gmail.com and be sure to Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming. You can follow Ian on Twitter @i_am_scifi, on Instagram at i_am_scifi or on Tumblr at heehaw-ds9.tumblr.com; Brent is on Twitter too @kossinab, and he posts regularly to YouTube on his channel, BK’s Bullets; Brandon is on Twitter @TheDabbaDon, thedabbadon on Instagram, and Geekcetra on Tumblr. Raph can be found on Twitter @RaphDoesStuff and at the Nerd Ranting blog.

Until next time, face front True Believers, and thanks for listening! EXCELSIOR!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:08:09 — 68.4MB)

Podcast

Comic Timing – Episode 193: SDCC Got a Gunn

Leave a comment

Episode 193 of Comic Timing has arrived! This time, Brent and Ian are joined by Donovan Morgan Grant and, for the first time in AGES, Mr. Bob Bretall! Donovan and Bob are fresh off their adventures at San Diego Comic Con, so they’re here to discuss what they saw, what they did, and how it has changed over the years. We also go into trailers such as Aquaman and SHAZAM!, the return of Batman’s blue outer undies, and the developments involving James Gunn and his firing from Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3.

You can e-mail the show at comictiming@gmail.com and be sure to Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming. You can follow Ian on Twitter @i_am_scifi, on Instagram at i_am_scifi or on Tumblr at heehaw-ds9.tumblr.com; Brent is on Twitter too @kossinab; Donovan can be found on Twitter @DonoDMG1, and you can find Bob at Comics Spectrum.

Until next time, stay cool! It’s hot out there.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:29:51 — 94.0MB)

Podcast

Comic Timing – Episode 192: Infinity Dust

Leave a comment

Episode 192 avoided the culling, and is now out for all of you to enjoy! Listen in as Eric Nash of the Watchmen Minute podcast joins Ian, Raph (once again in studio), Brent and Brandon as they dissect Free Comic Book Day, some TV renewals, and give their in-depth and spoiler-filled review of Avengers: Infinity War! As usual, better late than never, am I right? Dust…

You can e-mail the show at comictiming@gmail.com and be sure to Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming. You can follow Ian on Twitter @i_am_scifi, on Instagram at i_am_scifi or on Tumblr at heehaw-ds9.tumblr.com; Brent is on Twitter too @kossinab; Brandon is on Twitter @TheDabbaDon, thedabbadon on Instagram, and Geekcetra on Tumblr. Raph can be found on Twitter @RaphDoesStuff and at the Nerd Ranting blog, and Eric is on Twitter @luckymustard.

Until next time, survive! Mother f—…

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:22:39 — 87.2MB)

Podcast

Comic Timing – Episode 190: Justice Thor

Leave a comment

By the looks of that enthusiastic Thor, we’re back! This time, Ian, Brent, Brandon and Raph go into spoiler reviews for Thor: Ragnarok, Justice League, Doomsday Clock, Marvel’s Runaways on Hulu, and a whole lot more! It truly is a Christmukkah miracle, if I do say so myself.

You can e-mail the show at comictiming@gmail.com and be sure to Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming. You can follow Ian on Twitter @i_am_scifi, on Instagram at i_am_scifi or on Tumblr at heehaw-ds9.tumblr.com; Brent is on Twitter too @kossinab; Brandon is on Twitter @TheDabbaDon, thedabbadon on Instagram, and Geekcetra on Tumblr. Raph can be found on Twitter @RaphDoesStuff.

We’ll see you at the beginning of 2018 for our Year in Review episode, and possibly before then as well. Stay tuned, and thanks as always for listening!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:22:24 — 84.5MB)

Podcast

Comic Timing – Episode 186: We List Things Better

Leave a comment

Episode 186 is here, bub. Ian and Brent have seen Logan, so the second half of the episode is devoted to that, with spoilers aplenty. But before we get to that, Ian, Brent and Brandon do what they do best: list stuff! The Hollywood Reporter put out their list of the Top 50 Best Superhero Performances Ever, and we think we can do better. But don’t worry, we only do a Top 15, so you don’t have to sit through fifty different choices.

You can e-mail the show at comictiming@gmail.com and be sure to Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming. You can follow Ian on Twitter @i_am_scifi, on Instagram at i_am_scifi or on Tumblr at heehaw-ds9.tumblr.com; Brent is on Twitter too @kossinab; Brandon is on Twitter @TheDabbaDon, thedabbadon on Instagram, and Geekcetra on Tumblr.

Thanks again for listening, and we’ll see you next time for our C2E2 wrap up and more!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:47:22 — 62.1MB)

Podcast

Comic Timing – Episode 185: 2016 Year in Review

Leave a comment

Applause! Comic Timing is back! With a bang, one would hope. This episode, Brent and Ian are joined by Raph, Brandon, and returning guest for the first time in forever, Chris Chavez, as we dissect the year that was. 2016 has come and gone, and we go into the best and worst of it when relating to comics. We also give our quickie review and thoughts on Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Raph also gives us his take on Doctor Strange, and Ian goes into the joy that is Justice League Action.

As you heard at the top of the episode, there is something that makes this particular episode special. This one was produced differently than any other Comic Timing has been so far. If you can guess what happened, you’ll win $10 on Comixology! Just post on the Facebook thread for this episode, and let us know what you guess happened.

You can e-mail the show at comictiming@gmail.com and be sure to Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming. You can follow Ian on Twitter @i_am_scifi, on Instagram at i_am_scifi or on Tumblr at heehaw-ds9.tumblr.com; Brent is on Twitter too @kossinab; Brandon is on Twitter @TheDabbaDon, thedabbadon on Instagram, and Geekcetra on Tumblr; Raph is @RaphReadsComics on Twitter. And Chris has a Facebook too, yo.

Thanks again for listening, and we’ll see you next time for our Extra Point coverage of Doctor Strange and Luke Cage! And here’s to a great 2017 for all.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:13:43 — 80.6MB)

Podcast

Comic Timing – Episode 184: Changing Political Climates and Comics

Leave a comment

lexluthor

As the title implies, Comic Timing goes political this episode, partially as some catharsis after the events of the past few weeks, and also as a way to try and explain and further understand the political climate, and how it effects the comic book industry. Brandon Christopher of Pop Culture Clash, Donovan Moragn Grant of Questions, We Don’t Have Answers, Brent Kossina and Ian Levenstein discuss the decision made by Humberto Ramos and George Perez to refuse attending conventions in Red States after the President Elect takes office, as well as comic shops refusing to stock Motor Crush issue 1 because it has a black female lead. We also discuss tangential political topics that are not entirely comic related, but are still relevant to the overall conversation.

This episode may not be for everyone, but I really do feel like there is some excellent conversation within. No punches were pulled, but everyone involved did their best to be respectful while speaking their minds. Give it a listen and see for yourself!

You can e-mail the show at comictiming@gmail.com and be sure to Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming. You can follow Ian on Twitter @i_am_scifi, on Instagram at i_am_scifi or on Tumblr at heehaw-ds9.tumblr.com; Brent is on Twitter too @kossinab; Brandon is on Twitter @TheDabbaDon, thedabbadon on Instagram, and Geekcetra on Tumblr; Donovan is @donoDMG1 on Twitter.

Thanks again for listening, and we’ll see you next time for Doctor Strange, Luke Cage and more!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:41:34 — 57.7MB)

Convention Report, Podcast

Comic Timing – Episode 183: Comfort, Kris, Conventions, Actors and Adam

Leave a comment

13668731_1139552496107740_1425243582925356960_o

Episode 183 is now available for your ear holes! This is the last piece that was recorded during New York Comic Con weekend, only not at the con itself. Back at the old apartment, Ian sat down with Kris, Comfort Love and Adam Withers to discuss the growing trend of actors and actresses demanding more money from conventions in order to attend a show. How will this in turn affect attendees, artists and writers at the con, and how the show itself is run? What is the ceiling for how much people are willing to pay to hit a convention, and will it take a show saying, “No way,” to an actor to make that ceiling happen?

The group also delve into Comfort and Adam’s history attending shows as independent creators, and a few of the difficulties they faced getting their feet in the door as indie superhero creators, and Kris and Ian briefly get into Flame Con, what made it work so well, and why it is immediately one of the better small cons around. It’s a laid back, flowing conversation, and I hope you guys dig it as much as we all did recording it! For more on DashCon, follow this here link; in return, you get an extra hour in the ball pit. And Adi Fitri IS Malaysian!

You can e-mail the show at comictiming@gmail.com and be sure to Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming. Be sure to follow Ian on Twitter @i_am_scifi, Instagram at i_am_scifi or on Tumblr at heehaw-ds9.tumblr.com; Kris is on Twitter @lampbane, Instagram at lampbane, Tumblr at both lampbane.tumblr.com and Garak’s Clothiers, and check out her articles on Engadget. Finally, you can find Comfort and Adam on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr as well. And get The Uniques on Comixology while you’re at it, why don’tcha?

Thanks again for listening, and we’ll catch you next time!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:16:33 — 45.7MB)