Graphic Novelism | The History of Comic Books

The Experts On Nothing Real

Alex Koch. Mike Napier. James Lewis. Children of the nineties, lovers of sequential art, NERDS -- coming of age in a world they never made, these three students of the comic page found themselves united by a common hobby. On that day, A PODCAST WAS BORN -- tasked with discussing the topics no single fan could properly examine!

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45 episodes
Updated Mar 20, 2019

Episodes45

Newest first

Feb 18, 2017
#20: "Uncle Ben, Who Is In Hell..." (Challenge Of The Supertoons Part IV)
or "DANGER! At Mysterio's Disco Palace" In part four of our retrospective of animated adaptations, we revisit Marvel's own personal quarter-life crisis. From the day Spider-Man made friends to how the X-Men found their pryde, we track the bizarre arc of Marvel Productions from 1981-1989, and once again make everything better with Human Torch. Who is "Sidewinder", and what does he stand to gain? Why does Aunt May have a vial of acid and murder on her mind? And which of your favorite heroes a
Jan 17, 2017
#19: "To Me, Allies For Peace!" (Challenge Of The Supertoons, Part III)
or "Spider-Woman In: Twerk Off The Dark!" In part three of our retrospective of animated adaptations, we look at the dawn of the Marvel Age Of Cartoons, from 1966 to 1979, as we ask ourselves just how loosely you can use the term "animation" before it loses all meaning.  Who are the Allies For Peace, and why do they seem so familiar? What intervention from an animation legend led to Spider-Man tripping the light fantastic? Which second-string character unexpectedly has the greatest ani
Nov 28, 2016
#18: "When Shaq Met Static" (Challenge of The Supertoons Part II)
or "Slade Wilson's Carnival of Despair!" In part two of our retrospective of animated adaptations, we look at the modern age of DC shows, from the dawn of the Timmverse to the second coming of Beast Boy. Why doesn't Static Shock get the respect it so dearly deserves? Where does Superman: The Animated Series land within the ranks of superhero television? When will fans learn to stop judging new shows by a single piece of promo art? And what is the tragic fate of the poor, disgraced Ocean Mas
Oct 19, 2016
#17: "TUBERMAN" (Challenge Of The Supertoons Part I)
or "The Strange Proposal of The Trevor-Darkseid Team!" In part one of our new, six-part series on the history of animated adaptations, we get things rolling with DC's contributions to the field from 1941-1992. From the glory of the Fleischer shorts to the utter bafflement of the Superfriends, your hosts sift through one of American animation's greatest dry spells to solve the era's greatest mysteries: Why won't Superman stop moaning? What dark secret is Gleek hiding from the Wonder Twins? A
Sep 20, 2016
#16: "Forgotten, But Not Gone"
or "TERROR Of The Redundant-Flash!" The medium of comics is filled with countless characters who have stood the test of time... that doesn't mean all of them should have. On this month's episode, the Unreal Experts count down the useless, the dated, the repetitive, the heroes, villains, and supporting cast who do not deserve to be hated, but simply to be forgotten-- except Steve Trevor. Which hunter should have stayed in the jungle? What is the terrifying secret of The Composite Alfred? And
Aug 16, 2016
#15 "Waiting For Twilight" (Dreams, Hoaxes, And Imaginary Tales Part IV)
or "A Gorilla In Lady Gotham's Court!" In the finale of our series on the greatest comic book stories never told, we recount what may be the most influential comic event of the past thirty years... and not a single word of it was ever printed. Join The House of Mistakes as they detail what was once the most closely-guarded secret in the industry: Alan Moore's pitch for "Twilight Of The Superheroes", a company-wide crossover event that would have plunged the most unlikely hero of all into a
Jul 17, 2016
#14 "Podcast Of The Soul" (Dreams, Hoaxes, And Imaginary Tales Part III)
or "The Iron Lantern's Emerald Escape!" In part three of our four-part series on the greatest comic book stories never told, we uncover two epics that would have left DC Comics unrecognizable in their wake. Join The Unreal Experts as they trek through the heart of darkness to battle a mysterious adversary with plans to expose their favorite heroes' deepest frailties, are rescued by a cosmic soldier of fortune with a care-free attitude and unsettlingly familiar color scheme, and ponder along
Jun 23, 2016
#13: "Metropolis Restored" (Dreams, Hoaxes, And Imaginary Tales Part II)
or "IF THIS BE MY MISTRESS..." In part two of our four-part series on the greatest comic book stories never told, we meet a caped crusader fighting for his life in The Great War, a wall-crawler in too deep with the wrong kind of lady, and a born-again 'bub with his heart in the right place (and the rest of him in ninja). Who IS The Huntsman, and how would he have been a game-changer for Image? How does The Dark Knight Returns tie into a coup d'etat that would have changed the
May 22, 2016
#12: "The Old Gods And The New" (Dreams, Hoaxes, And Imaginary Tales Part I)
or "The Secret Dark Side of Captain Victory!" In the first of our four-part series on the greatest comic book stories never told, we travel from the Silver Age to the Twitter Age, from Batman '89 to Superman 2000, from Grant Morrison's brightest days to Frank Miller's blackest nights. Just how many different All-Star books were in the works before the line died? What were Jack Kirby's original plans for his legendary run on Thor? What the HELL were they going to do to Wonder Woman in 2005?!
May 18, 2016
In Memoriam: Darwyn Cooke
Help comic creators in need by donating to The Hero Initiative at http://www.heroinitiative.org/ Download Here Interviews sampled: What's wrong with Comics from John Scrudder How DC and Marvel must change from Comic Book Syndicate Music used: Justice League The New Frontier - Soundtrack From the DC Universe Animated Original Movie by Kevin Manthei copyright Warner Bros. 2008
Apr 17, 2016
#11: "Videoman, why?! The Dark Side of Superhero Games"
or "I Have No Face But I Must Quip!" In part two of the Videoman Saga, the 8-Bit Experts tackle the less-glamorous side of video game adaptations. How do adaptations with the best of intentions so often end so badly? How close did we come to battling Heath Ledger's Joker on the Xbox? Who decided to put stealth levels in a Hulk game? Why is Aquaman's hair so breathtaking? Where did those bats come from? WHO STOLE SUPERMAN'S FACE?! To find out, well, you'll just have to listen! Find us on Fac
Mar 27, 2016
#10: "Batman Hearts Superman"
or "Cry fraternity! Cry... BESTIES!" In all the years to come, in your most private moments, we want you to remember this episode in your ears. We want you to remember the one podcast... that warmed your heart. Under the shadow of the biggest movie in DC history, the Unreal Experts take a look at the relationship between the world's finest, and how often the duo are misinterpreted as rivals. What are the real differences between these two characters, and how have they driven them apart and
Mar 16, 2016
Off The Panel CLASSIC - Daredevil: The Man Without Fear
In this reprint of a classic episode from the fondly remembered Off-Panel Podcast, the men who would one day form Graphic Novelism meet to discuss the origin story that defined one of Marvel’s most underrated superheroes. Listen as three podcasters without fear discuss Frank Miller’s last great superhero story, how cinematic fiction can be achieved in the pages of a comic, and most importantly, the lengths a blind man will go to in order to eventually beat up Stilt-Man. This is Frank M
Feb 18, 2016
#9: "Videoman, No! The Bright Side of Superhero Games"
or "Respawn, harlequin, said the 8-Bit Man!" Prepare yourself for a next-generation multimedia event™! In this episode, the unreal experts rock out to SNES symphonies as they look at the most high-rated entries in a low-rated genre: the comic book game. How has the arc of the superhero game mirrored the arc of the entire industry? Why did anyone ever think you'd want to play Cyclops? And which is more magical: mall arcades, or pizza arcades? To find out, well, you'll just have to listen! ED
Jan 18, 2016
#8 "We MUST, Robin: The Fashionably Lame Costumes of Comics"
or "The Boob Window At The Gates Of Always!" From fishnets to head-fins, bandoleers to face-socks, gloves that stretch to the armpits to collars that climb to the heavens, superhero costumes have seen their share of highs and lows. Join Aristocratic Alex, Jammin' James, and Maniacal Mike as they plumb the depths of four color fashion in a discussion of their favorite looks, why certain costumes have stuck around for so long, the subjectivity of a good design, and what the hell is even going
Dec 16, 2015
#7: "Spawn of Image, Part Two: Kirkman's Dream"
or "BLOODFIST II: NO MORE MR. NICE GUY" In part two of our look at the storied, sordid history of Image comics, we visit the cocaine-fueled fall and zombie-plagued return of the once-and-future king of creator-owned publishers. Why would Rob Liefeld lend his car to Badrock? What was the straw that broke Frank Miller's back and/or sanity? And how did a nerdy kid from Kentucky turn an industry punchline into one of the most critically-acclaimed entertainment companies in the world? All and th
Nov 15, 2015
#6: "Spawn of Image, Part One: McFarlane Just Wants To Draw"
or "BLOODFIST: Omega Genesis!" In part one of our look at the rise, fall, and rebirth of perhaps the most controversial and influential publisher in comic book history, the Unreal Experts chart the rise of the Super-Artists: Todd "Hulk Hogan" McFarlane, Jim "Captain America" Lee, and Rob "David Hasslehoff" Liefeld. How did Jim Shooter unintentionally pave the way for Image Comics? Which account of the company's creation actually holds water? And why does it all come back to Cable?! To find
Oct 30, 2015
#5: "Born To Hate"
or "I hate you! And you hate me even more!" In this month's limited edition of GN, the crew looks at the dichotomy of heroes and their archenemies, from the truly great rivalries, to the ones that exist for reasons one cannot begin to fathom. Can creating villains purely to be a hero's opposite ever work? And why does Mike insist on attacking Alex on his birthday each year? To find out the answers, well, you'll just have to listen! All and this more, in the link! Find us on Facebook: h
Oct 16, 2015
ONE AND DONE - "The Anatomy Lesson"
Grab 'er before she leaves the newsstands, True Subscribers, it's another debut from your friends at the House of Mistakes! Introducing "One and Done", a new mini-show that examines the greatest single issues the medium has ever produced! And for our first installment, what better than perhaps the most famous self-contained story of this, our modern age? It's the Alan Moore and Steve Bissette masterpiece "The Anatomy Lesson", the issue that turned Swamp Thing-- and the comic book industry-- upsi
Sep 26, 2015
OFF THE PANEL - Batman: HUSH
In the first returning installment of the series that examines all literature involving capes, cowls, and tights, Aristocratic Alex Koch and Maniacal Mike Napier journey upon a flashback to the year 2002 as they revisit the classic comic book arc that took the genre by storm and re-launched the careers of two of the industry's top talents. It's a game of chess that involves conspiracy, murder, romance, betrayal, and the most epic confrontation between The Dark Knight and The Man of Steel ever co

Graphic Novelism | The History of Comic Books

#20: "Uncle Ben, Who Is In Hell..." (Challenge Of The Supertoons Part IV)

#19: "To Me, Allies For Peace!" (Challenge Of The Supertoons, Part III)

#18: "When Shaq Met Static" (Challenge of The Supertoons Part II)

#17: "TUBERMAN" (Challenge Of The Supertoons Part I)

#16: "Forgotten, But Not Gone"

#15 "Waiting For Twilight" (Dreams, Hoaxes, And Imaginary Tales Part IV)

#14 "Podcast Of The Soul" (Dreams, Hoaxes, And Imaginary Tales Part III)

#13: "Metropolis Restored" (Dreams, Hoaxes, And Imaginary Tales Part II)

#12: "The Old Gods And The New" (Dreams, Hoaxes, And Imaginary Tales Part I)

In Memoriam: Darwyn Cooke

#11: "Videoman, why?! The Dark Side of Superhero Games"

#10: "Batman Hearts Superman"

Off The Panel CLASSIC - Daredevil: The Man Without Fear

#9: "Videoman, No! The Bright Side of Superhero Games"

#8 "We MUST, Robin: The Fashionably Lame Costumes of Comics"

#7: "Spawn of Image, Part Two: Kirkman's Dream"

#6: "Spawn of Image, Part One: McFarlane Just Wants To Draw"

#5: "Born To Hate"

ONE AND DONE - "The Anatomy Lesson"

OFF THE PANEL - Batman: HUSH