The Jedicole Universe

The Rantcor Pit #68 Hey Hasbro! (Part 2: Back in Black)

It's time to talk Star Wars toys that don't exist - yet - once again. 

Welcome to the second (and final) part of 'Hey Hasbro!" in which Cole Houston and Eddie Medina dig deeper into their modern Star Wars toy wish list. What characters and creatures do they favor that they did not get to last time?  Can they stick to talking about just the 6" scale Black Series?  Can only two episodes of the show truly suffice to cover so much ground?

Find out what Your Favorite Star Wars Guys hope to check off of their collecting bucket list in the upcoming years.  This (and the episode before it) will be something to look back at in a few years and see what, if anything, got the toy treatment and satisfied the Rantcor Pit's ravenous appetite for collectbles.

Hey Kids, Comics! #236 - The Writing on the Wall

What's this?  A "Watchmen" issue of "Hey Kids, Comics!"?! 

 

Yes, it is true.  This outing Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston discuss what is largely believed to be Cole's favorite topic when it comes to comics, "Watchmen".  

But this time its a bit different.  The discussions take your hosts, and their special guest Catherine Houston, beyond just the comic series itself.  This one is about the phenomenon.  From ocuntless incarnations of published collections of the comic to movies to merchandising, there was plenty to explore this week.

Catherine "Mrs. JediCole" Houston joins the show due in no small part to haveing a certain fondness for Watchmen in her own right.

 

 

Hey Kids, Comics! #235 - Independents Day

Hot on the heels of the "Period Pieces" story arc, the latest issue runs a bit late for the Fourth of July, but none the less carries that theme with a look at the various booms and busts and myriad titles that are collectively known as Indys.  

Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston are joined by comic book scholar Weldon Adams in an exploration of independent comic publishers and their work.  What defines a comic as an Indy?  What comics of this ilk managed to reach the pinacles of success?  Which ambitious titles failed miserable and which miserable titles failed even more so in the often flooded marketplace?  These and other questions are posed and answered as Hey Kids, Comics! declares independents!

Hey Kids, Comics! #234 - Period Pieces: The Wild, Wild Best

Welcome again, and for the final time (literally) to "Period Pieces", the story arc that looks (or has looked) at distinct time periods as depicted in comics.

In this concluding chapter, Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston strap on their six guns and go West!  The Western is the order of the day as the frontier spirit and tenacious grit of the gunslinger is explored.  Special guest Shawn Padilla of All-Con Games and Theory joins the posse to talk up the cowboy-rich history of historical comics set in the untamed West.

The Rantcor Pit #67 - Hey Hasbro! (Part 1: Small Scale, Big Ideas)

Cole "JediCole" Houston and Eddie-Wan Medina have taken it upon themselves to let Hasbro Toys know what is lacking in their Star Wars line!

Specifically, they are launching The Force of July 2017 (because this episode ran late) with a very personal discussion of what they personally want to see in the coming years from Star Wars at Hasbro.  Concentrating primarily on the often ignored 3.75" line, they share favorite picks that have yet to see the light of day.  When it comes to the 6" Black Series, well, that is in the mix, too.  

And the reason this turned into a two-parter!

Hey Kids, Comics! #233 - Period Pieces: Get Medieval

Ye Olde Hey Kids, Comics! doth return wiht Medieval madness from the books of comics.  Missers Andrew the Farmer and Cole of Houston do espouse, in the oral tradition of this showe, the valiant virtues and vile villainy that did occur during the days of olde.

Steve of Clan McCauley was chosen to accompany the pair on their journey to discover not only the popular Arthurian cycle as it occurs at Marvel and DC, but also many a knight, a monster, or a maiden from or inspired by a bygone age.

Who may say what strange tales may be found within such curious and colorful tomes as your hosts shall be discussing among their learned selves? Tis not for this chronicle to fortell, nay, it shall be the task of you, faithful listener of yon podcast to find for thy own self by lending an ear to the proceedings that shall delight and inform.

 

Hey Kids, Comics! #232 - Period Pieces: When in Greco-Rome

"Period Pieces" continues and this time Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston roam around...Rome!  And Greece.  Well, Ancient Greece and Rome as they trace the Classics and their influence on comic books.  

From the obvious like Frank Miller's swords and sandals epic "300" to the more obscure (to Americans for the most part) like "Asterix".  The mythos and mystery of Greece and Rome of Antiquity have long been staples of comic books, most especially their pantheons of gods.  Joining the boys this week is resident Classical expert Kelly Long who again brings her wit and knowledge to the table and classes up the joint!

The Rantcor Pit #66 - The New Black

What better way to follow four episodes covering 40 years of Star Wars than to talk about one of the most important and endearing offshoots of the Saga, toys!  Most specifically the "Black Series" line of 6" tall action figures launched by Hasbro in 2013.

The Black Series label is most largely associated with the 6" figure line that has encompassed the original cinematic Saga, what remains of the Expanded Universe, and even the first anthology film, Rogue One.  With so many characters to cull from, and with collectors flocking to this relatively new line, it is little wonder that so many figures have already been produced with so many more on the way!

"Your Favorite Stars Guys" talk up this popular toy line in all of its myriad incarnations.

Hey Kids, Comics! #231 - Period Pieces: Drawn Like an Egyptian

Care to take a trip back in time of say...about 5,000 years?  Then join Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston as they do just that, in comics anyway.  

Welcome to the second issue of the "Period Pieces" story arc in which the ancient Egypt is the focus.  Delving primarily into characters with origins in the distant past of the land of the pyramids, this issue looks at mystic beginnings, time travel, and even the influence and allure of Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs.

 

 

Hey Kids, Comics! #230 - Period Pieces: The Time Before Time

Welcome all to a new story arc for Hey Kids, Comics!  Andrew Farmer and Cole Houston are riding the "time bullet train" to yesteryears for the next five issues.  So what better jumping off point than the age of the dinosaur through that of the dawn of man.  

Prehisotry is a popular period for comics and there are many noteable prehistoric-themed titles and characters up for discussion.  The Rantcor Pit's own Eddie Medina joins the paleolithic fun this outing!