Comics Podcasts

Two things re-fueled my passion for comics in the last few months: one is this blog. Writing about comics, makes me want to read more comics!!

The other thing is comics podcasts. I don't know how I do it, but I am subscribed to tons of comics podcasts and I listen to every minute of them. Almost.

I started with the Pipeline Podcast, which was an obvious transition from the Pipeline column. To this day I still really like the format of this podcast, a nice and simple top 10 of the releases of the week. Augie is certainly entertaining.

I then continued to explore comics podcasts with Comicology, by Neil Gorman. I appreciated his easy going format and personal opinions for a while, even though I stopped listening for a while. Lately he's been experimenting with his Daily Bugle Project, an almost daily short podcast.

I also started downloading Fanboy Radio, even before they started podcasting. But the podcast feed is just too good and simple to use, so I was very happy when they started podcasting. A great way to hear the creator's opinion in their own voices.

Then comes Comic Geek Speak, probably the most successful of the bunch. Their comics discussions were very interesting, especially when they went to the past to talk about an old run or series of comics. Not to mention their book of the month club, their special crisis/hourse of m/civil war episodes which go deep into the series. And they also had some great interviews. Unfortunately recently I feel like I don't know what they're talking about, because there are many books (especially indy) that I cannot buy, but they are so passionate about. I am still subscribed but skip forward often.

Wordballoon was a challenge for me to download. It was hosted on a server that was blocked here, so I couldn't download it via my podcatcher. I had to manually download each episode through proxies, and it was a pain. I would still do it if the creator really interested me. Luckily he recently switched to libsyn so I get all episodes automatically. John Siuntres is a very very good interviewer, and he seems to know so much not only about the creator's work, but about general culture. He seems to click perfectly with many of his interviewees, and that is something I rarely see.

In the last month I've been checking out almost all comics podcasts, and these are the ones that I am sticking with:

Around Comics: somehow I always enjoy their discussion and I love their recent Byrne interview. Great job! I also love their comics news segment (comics only, not comics related news).
Comic Timing: again, always interesting discussions lead by a charming Ian Levistein.

Raging Bullets: these guys really go deep in their review of DC comics, almost like a DVD commentary (and I love good commentaries). They dissect the series from the first page to the last, and have very insightful observations. I just loved their Watchmen episode. I haven't read all of the comics they review, but they make me want to read them so that I can listen to their podcast.

Bullpen Bulletin: a brand new companion to RB, this is the podcast dedicated to Marvel comics. So far I enjoy it a great deal, especially their in depth review of Astonishing X-Men. I must admit I wasn't a big big fan of it when I read it the first time, but now I want to go back and pay more attention to it.

Uncanny X-Cast: another brand new podcast, this one dedicated to the X-Men. X-Men have always been my favorite superhero series, but I've been away for many years. This seems to be a good time to come back, especially with Astonishing and the new Brubaker and Carey runs. I also like their character spotlight, as well as review of the classic X-Men stories before Claremont. I recently purchased Uncanny X-Men Omnibus, so I can't wait for them to start reviewing the classic Claremont run as well.

Edited to add the first and only (afaik) Comics Video Podcast, Variant Edition: these guys are fun to watch, and their video quality is very good. They may not be professionals, but I really like their easy going attitude. I wish the reviews were less about summarizing the story, and more about actual critiqueing. But a great video podcast.

I love these podcasts, and I hope you will give them a try as well. Viva Comics!!