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Podcast

Comic Timing – Episode 194: In Memory of Stan Lee

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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)

Extra Point, Podcast

Comic Timing Extra Point – Episode 10: RIP Jamie D

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RIP Jamie D

Earlier today, the comic book podcasting community lost one of its founding fathers, and friendliest faces. Jamie Dallessandro of Comic Geek Speak, known to most simply as Jamie D, passed away due to complications from his longstanding battle with cancer. Jamie was a shining beacon of positivity for the community as a whole, and anyone who has listened to him, met him, or considered him to be a friend, will miss him dearly. I sure will.

This episode has my farewells to Jamie, as well as some extra audio that was recorded during Episode 150, and re-airing of a portion of Episode 137, which was recorded during Baltimore Comic Con with Shane, Brian “Pants” Christman, and Jamie.

Here’s to you, Shiznit Pimp. We will never forget the part your played in our lives, no matter how small or large it may have been. Uniting the world’s mightiest heroes, forevermore.

As always – we are sponsored by DCBS! That’s right! Discount Comic Book Service! All comics from major publishers like Marvel, DC, Image and Dark Horse are 40% off or more. And hardcovers and trade paperbacks from Marvel and DC are at least 50% of. Plus, be sure to check out their Comixology digital storefront for even further savings.

You can e-mail the show at comictiming@gmail.com and be sure to Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/ComicTiming. Thanks, and we’ll catch you next time.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:30 — 7.9MB)

Editorial

Rant Timing #4: Why So Serious?

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Why So Serious?

The film world lost a great one today, long before his time should have been up. Heath Ledger, age 28, died today. He was about five years older than I am, as he would have turned 29 in April. Deaths like this put your life in perspective. You never know what day you will wake up, do your daily routine, all without knowing it will be your last time. Heath’s career was budding. After Brokeback Mountain, most of Hollywood knew his name. With The Dark Knight, the second Batman film directed by Christopher Nolan, he was to be the successor of Jack Nicholson in the role of The Joker. The film wrapped principle photography, so that is at least secure, as of now. He was filming another movie, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, when he died, and that one looks to be in jeopardy, as it was in the middle of production. Will The Dark Knight be the last time we see Heath Ledger on screen? A talented, wide-ranging actor, ends his life with a role like The Joker. Serial killer, insane, a malicious smile upon his face. Is this how you would want to go out? I certainly would be torn. On the one hand, I guarantee people will believe that the role led to his death, that acting crazy made him crazy. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that is ridiculous. No, there is no Batman curse that has been transfered over from The Superman Curse, and no, the role had nothing to do with what happened. He simply died. End of story. Even if he did commit suicide, or if he overdosed on pills, this was not because he was The Joker. It was because he was a troubled man. None of this has been confirmed, so I’m not going to speculate on any of this until there are facts to turn to.

Now, for the other side of going out as The Joker: the character is one of the best known comic book creations in the history of the DC Universe. He is the villain of villains and heroes alike, and has appeared everywhere from lunch boxes to cartoons to posters. If Heath plays The Joker as well as I believe he will, he will go out on top. The performance will always be remembered. If he tops Nicholson, more power to him. No one will be able to replace the image of a man who died with the role in the eyes of fans and movie-goers alike. Plus, the viral marketing campaign already had people jazzed for the movie; even those who would not have seen it originally are now interested. Heath’s death will drive even more people to the theaters. So yes, The Dark Knight will be a success on multiple plains. A great movie, with roles to remember.

Rest in peace Heath. You leave behind a daughter who will hear stories about you for a long time to come. While your career might have been cut short, it was still longer than most, with more accolades than some people who have been in the business twice as long have achieved. The line I titled this column with is apropos to the situation. “Why so serious?” Today, we are allowed to be.