Monday, December 31, 2018

Fanholes Transformers Tuesdays # 42: Power of the Primes



Listen in as Machinima's Power of the Primes series makes the Fanholes angry. Angry and tired.



Download this episode!

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Fanholes Episode # 177: Aquaman N' Stuff!






Our buds at Rolled Spine tweeted at us last night, so we Frank'd together a podcast about the Aquaman film, among other things.




Spoilers ahead! The names of the innocent and slurs against Aquaman were bleeped out to protect....well, us.



Podcast Promos:

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Fanholes Comic Books Mutha@#$%! Do You Read 'Em?!? # 35: Aquaman - Stories From The Spinner Rack!


Comic Books Mutha@#$%! Do You Read 'Em?!? is celebrating the feature film release of Aquaman with an all-new Stories From The Spinner Rack!

Comics Discussed:

Justin: Aquaman v2 #1-4
Derek: The Legend Of Aquaman Special #1



Podcast Promos:
Fire & Water Podcast

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Fanholes Comic Books Mutha@#$%! Do You Read 'Em?!? # 34: Spinner Rack Spidey Stories!



The Fanholes take a look at select Spider-Man comics for more Stories From The Spinner Rack!

Comics Discussed:

Derek: Marvel Team-Up #125
Tony: Amazing Spider-Man #326
Justin: Spectacular Spider-Man #191
Mike:Amazing Spider-Man #413



Podcast Promos:
Avengers Spotlight
Secret Wars and Beyond Podcast
The Marvel Super-Heroes Podcast

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Fanholes Toku Thursdays Episode #46: Super-Human Samurai Syber-Squad vs. Lightning Superman Gridman


Join Mike, Tony, Justin and Derek and they compare and contrast episodes of Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad with  the Tokusatsu series it originated from, Lightning Superman Gridman!


Gridman S01 E09 "The Fiendish Brainwashing Strategy" 
vs. 
Superhuman Samurai Syber-Squad S01 E05 · "The Cold Shoulder"

Sunday, November 18, 2018

Fanholes Mobile Suit Mondays Episode # 57: Mobile Suit Gundam "Garma's Fate"


Join Mike, Justin and Derek as they discuss the tenth episode of the series that started it all, Mobile Suit Gundam, on what is now Fanholes tradition, Mobile Suit Mondays!  

Promo:

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Fanholes Episode # 176: Fanholes Frightfest - ScoobyNatural!


Like, Zoinks! Jenkies! It's Fanholes Frightfest!! On Halloween Night! The Fanholes get together to discuss the crossover event between Supernatural and Scooby-Doo, ScoobyNatural! Ret Rover Heeere and download the podcast already!!!



Monday, October 22, 2018

Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Fanholes Comic Books Mutha@#$%! Do You Read 'Em?!? # 32: Daredevil Stories From The Spinner Rack!




We interrupt Fanholes Frightfest this week for the Man Without Fear! Comic Books Mutha@#$%! Do You Read 'Em?!? is celebrating the release of Daredevil Season 3 to Netflix with an all-new Stories From The Spinner Rack!

Comics Discussed:

Derek: Daredevil #234
Tony: Daredevil #254
Justin: Daredevil #304
Mike:Daredevil #354


Friday, October 12, 2018

Fanholes Sentai Saturdays Episode #14 - Fanholes Frightest Dynaman/MagiRanger Double Dare!



Fanholes Frightfest Month continues! Join Justin and Derek as they discuss some spooky episodes of Super-Sentai! First Up Scientific Squadron Dynaman episode 5 "The Evolution Beast's Scary Dream" which features the nightmarish Evolved Tapir! Then in the second half of the show, the Fanholes talk the terrifying "Night of the Vampires" on the 11th episode of Magical Squadron Magiranger! Check it out, if you dare!*





Fanholes Sentai Saturdays Episode #14 - Fanholes Frightest Dynaman/MagiRanger Double Dare! - Download this episode (right click and save)

*Magic is the proof of courage.

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Fanholes Comic Books Mutha@#$%! Do You Read 'Em?!? # 31: Fanholes Frightest - We Are Venom!




Comic Books Mutha@#$%! Do You Read 'Em?!? is kicking off our annual Fanholes Frightfest by tying into the feature film debut of Venom with some comic books featuring Venom! What did the Fanholes pick? And has Derek lost his GODDAMN mind?!?!?! Listen to find out!!!
Tony: Amazing Spider-Man #347 March 12, 1991
Justin: Kid N' Play #9 August/October 1, 1992
Mike: Iron Man #302 On Sale Date: January 25, 1994
Derek: Beavis and Butthead #3 March 15, 1994

Sunday, September 23, 2018

Justin's Top Ten Star Trek TOS Episodes Part 3

And now... my choices for the worst episodes of TOS.


3. The Mark of Gideon


There is a good episode here, it just didn't come together. Overpopulation is a subject worth exploring. But the story is simply full of too many plot holes. If Gideon is so overpopulated where did they find room to build an exact replica of the Enterprise. How did they get the blueprints for the Enterprise? If all they wanted was Kirk's blood why not just take it when he was captured, and then return him without his knowledge? Why not just colonize another planet?

It also doesn't help that the love interest is bland and has little chemistry with Shatner. Also, the back and forth between Spock and Hodin is so drawn out, uninteresting and frustrating. The entire episode is an exercise in frustration and totally illogical.


2. Plato's Stepchildren. 






This is the episode famous for the first interracial kiss. That doesn't make it a classic though. The way Kirk and Spock are forced to act... you start to lose respect for them. With Spock dancing over Kirk's body. Kirk being ridden as though he were a horse. It just goes on and on. Then you have some weird s&m stuff with the whip and hot poker. Is this supposed to be a fun, lighthearted episode? You may think so with all the shenanigans. Is it a commentary on the excesses of power? This episode never decides what it is. Michael Dunn is a treat to watch on The Wild, Wild, West but even he can't save this episode.


1. And the Children Shall Lead

 


As Youtuber Brandon Tenold might say, this episode is full of Kennys. Whenever i sit down to rewatch TOS i usually have to skip this episode. People want to complain about Spock's Brain. To me that episode is like a fun B-Movie. But this episode... man. Why is Uhura so concerned with looking old? Cause she's a woman? Cause women are vain? Get outta here. No one wants to get old. Why is Sulu afraid of swords filling the viewscreen. Because he has some skill at fencing? 

An interesting side note, the Gorgon was played by Melvin Belli who was an attorney and may have actually spoken with the Zodiac killer. As a fan of Star Trek and true crime i'm fascinated by this. 

Again, if there are certain episodes that grate on your nerves like a Ceti Eel then let me know in the comments section.  And stay tuned as i have several other Star Trek blogs planned. 





Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Fanholes Episode # 175: Derek and Dad!


Derek has an impromptu podcast with his Dad during a blackout from last year! Inspired by the Film and Water podcast's "Tales from the Movie Theater" episode, Derek asks his Dad about film's he remembers seeing at the theater or films he remembers taking Derek to go see! We also dovetail into stories about Comic Books and the days of Action Figure Collecting for a spoiled son! Check it out!




Fanholes Episode # 175: Derek and Dad! - Download this episode (right click and save)

Podcast Promos:
The Film and Water Podcast

Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Fanholes Episode # 174: Your App Sucks Balls Fan Expo!



Justin and Tony chat with Derek about his trip to Boston Fan Expo and what it was like meeting Mike live and in-person! Not to mention Amy Jo Johnson! Derek talks about meeting comic greats like Frank Quitely , Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Howard Mackie, Jae Lee, Dan Parent, Dan Khanna, Ed McGuiness, Humberto Ramos....and of course Jim Lee and John Byrne! BUT BE WARNED!!!! Derek Body Shames and Tony Man-Splains "Hot Cosplay"! Not for the faint of heart! Check it out if you DARE!!!



Fanholes Episode # 174: Your App Sucks Balls Fan Expo! - Download this episode (right click and save)

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Justin's Top Ten Star Trek TOS Episodes Part 2

5. The Enterprise Incident


I'll be honest, i've always preferred Romulans over Klingons. This episode has an almost Mission: Impossible feel to it. Kirk and Spock must acquire the perfected Romulan Cloaking Device. Kirk acts unstable. Spock pretends to kill him. Spock engages the female Romulan Commander in an episode long game of cat and mouse flirtation. Kirk then pretends to be a Romulan, complete with pointed ears.

The female Romulan Commander would show up in several novels and comics over the years. I was especially happy to see the character return for the final two episodes of the fan series Star Trek Continues (who was actually played by the daughter of the original actress).



4. Arena


This was the very first episode of Star Trek i ever saw. I remember thinking the episode was alright and the guy with pointed ears was interesting. When the Gorn showed up they had my complete attention. I think that was the point i became a fan. This episode is, of course, infamous for Kirk fighting the Gorn and for his improvised weapon. Kirk's battle with the Gorn is one of those legendary Star Trek moments that has been referenced in various tv shows, and even commercials. Captain Sisko is a fan as well. When flung back in time to Kirk's era the one thing he wanted to ask him about was fighting the Gorn.



3. The Doomsday Machine


I feel this is an episode people think of if they consider TOS cheesy. I get it. The Constellation is actually just an AMT Enterprise model and it shows. And there is the Doomsday Machine itself. It looks like a Thanksgiving cornucopia. All i can tell you is when i first saw this episode i bought it. I bought the illusion they were selling. I also bought the performance of William Windom as a man devastated by the loss of his crew. A man bent on getting revenge even if it claims the Enterprise.

The Remastered version of this episode certainly made the space battle more dynamic, and the Doomsday Machine looks better. And yet, i prefer the original version. The Doomsday Machine, or at least other vessels of the same design have shown up in novels such as Peter David's Vendetta and in Star Trek Online.



2. Mirror, Mirror


This episode needs little introduction or commentary from me. It is the granddaddy of alternate universe tropes. You see it in everything from Hercules: The Legendary Journeys to Futurama. Even Hasselhoff had an evil twin with facial hair on Knight Rider. It is perhaps the most famous concept to come from the original series. Even non-fans know a lookalike with a van dyke must be evil.


The Mirror Universe continues to show up in comics, novels, video games and in episodes of DS9, Enterprise and Discovery. Of the many tie-ins one that stands out for me personally is The Mirror Universe Saga trade. This epic eight issue story was written before Star Trek IV and takes place immediately after the events of Star Trek III. I remember being a little kid, learning my library had comics and this was the first thing i found. I must have checked it out and read it a hundred times.



1. City on the Edge of Forever


This episode is usually number one or two on most top ten lists and for good reason. Like Mirror, Mirror i feel there is little i can add at this point which hasn't been said in fifty plus years. I will say that i really enjoyed the IDW comic adaption of Harlan Ellison's original screenplay. For years i only knew Harlan Ellison as a very angry man who was on the Sci-Fi Channel. I knew he had an axe to grind with Gene over how his script turned out. His script features many differences from the produced episode, one of which involves Yeoman Rand playing an active role. I've always been fascinated with unproductive scripts or ideas for films that never materialized.



Now, you may be thinking what about Space Seed? Amok Time? Trouble With Tribbles? Honestly, i was never crazy about Trouble with Tribbles. I feel it is very, very overrated. I know, i know. Its a fan favorite. I remember during the 25th anniversary marathon it was picked as the #1 best episode. I always thought City was better. And that was before i became a fan of the works of Ellison. And yes, there are episodes i've picked that may be surprising. All Our Yesterdays and Obsession. I like those episodes. These are just my personal picks. I know you have your own favorites. Everyone has different opinions. I like The Lights of Zetar. I think its a weird episode. It isn't exactly highly regarded by the fan community. But fan community or fan think means nothing to me. I like what i like.

So, if you agree or disagree with my list let me know. Give me your episode picks. As Derek, Tony and Mike will tell you... i can talk about Star Trek all day. Also, be sure to come back next week as i talk about what i feel are the worst TOS episodes.


Wednesday, August 29, 2018

Justin's Top Ten Star Trek TOS Episodes

So i've decided to steal, er... i mean borrow a page from Mike's book. I will be counting down my top ten favorite Star Trek The Original Series episodes.


10. All Our Yesterdays.



I'll admit i've always been drawn to episodes were Spock acts out of character. There is something compelling about watching the cool and calculated Vulcan filled with rage or love. In this episode, while trapped in the past, Spock falls in love with the time exile Zarabeth. Also, Kirk is imprisoned for being a witch. This is also the penultimate episode of the series. And while Turnabout Intruder may be a mixed bag this episode is not. I'm clearly not the only fan of this episode as writer A.C. Crispin wrote not one but two novels that continue the story.




9. Obsession




Several times during the original series Kirk throws caution to the wind and pursues his own agenda. This is one of those episodes. Wrought with feelings of guilt Kirk is determined to hunt down and destroy the creature. Add to the mix the son of his former Captain who he failed to save. Chris Claremont featured the immediate aftermath of Lt Kirk's failure as a key sequence in the wonderful graphic novel Star Trek: Debt of Honor (which i have read so many times, my copy is falling apart).



8. Metamorphosis




Essentially, Ellie from the Andy Griffith Show merges with an energy being that has fallen in love with the inventor of warp drive. Ellie, AKA The Galactic Commissioner, is not especially likeable so you feel very little sympathy for her, or at lease i didn't. Even the actress playing her described the character as 'a mean bitch'. My favorite scene is when the merged being lifts up part of her dress which just happens to have a pattern similar to that of the energy being. She looks through the fabric and can still see Zefram as she once did. As a kid i always thought this was a really weird episode. As an adult i appreciate just how sweet but unusual this love story is.


7. Requiem for Methuselah




Being a fan of the Highlander franchise i may be predisposed to like this episode. Kirk, Spock and McCoy encounter a near immortal human who was such historical figures as Brahms and da Vinci. The idea of Kirk truly falling in love with a guest star is nothing new, you may even think Rayna is yet another in a long line of women involved with Kirk. But upon her death Kirk is so heartbroken that Spock takes it upon himself to erase her memory from his mind.


Captain Janeway would reference this episode while having her own adventure with a hologram of da Vinci. Flint would show up in several novels where he met Dr. Soong and fall in love with the android that was Data's 'mom'. Guy really had a thing for androids.




6. The Enemy Within




Much like director David Lynch i've been fascinated with the idea of doubles, evil twins or alternate versions of ourselves. I'm also a big fan of legendary writer Richard Matheson who wrote this episode. Episodes like Obsession and The Conscience of the King would peel back the layers of Kirk to show a manipulative and reckless side. This episode strips Kirk down to good and evil. I always felt the implication that the evil side is what allowed Kirk to make difficult command decisions to be extremely fascinating. This episode would figure largely in the novel Foul Deeds Will Rise, which also was somewhat of a sequel to the episode 'The Conscience of the King'.



Come back next week for the final five episodes. Will your favorites make the cut?

Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Fanholes Transformers Tuesdays # 39: Dreamwave "Prime Directive"



Mike and Derek are joined by Shag Matthews of The Fire and Water Podcast as they discuss the very first Transformers comic mini-series released by the late Dreamwave Productions. Listen as the Fanholes shatter Shag's perceptions of this story and its artist- the Superstar Funana Transman himself, Pat Lee!



Download this episode!

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Justice Not Entirely Dissimilar To Lightning # 3: Thunderbolts #2, Tales of the Marvel Universe #1, and Captain America #192


The Fanholes discuss the second issue of Thunderbolts and their brief story in Tales of the Marvel Universe # 1, as well as look back at Captain America # 192- the first appearance of Karla Sofen!

Download this episode!

Podcast Promos:
The Fantasticast

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

Fanholes Comic Books Mutha@#$%! Do You Read 'Em?!? # 28: TJ Special!



Comic Books Mutha@#$%! Do You Read 'Em?!? This episode, Derek is joined by special guest, TJ Damon (of the Quad M Podcast and the Enigma comic books series) to discuss some of TJ's favorite Marvel Comic Books!

Comics Discussed:
Captain America #253-254
Rom Annual #1



Fanholes Comic Books Mutha@#$%! Do You Read 'Em?!? # 28: TJ Special! - Download this episode (right click and save)