51a: Beowulf’s Delay
Our next episode about Santiago Garcia and David Rubin’s graphic novel, Beowulf, will be delayed for just a couple of days, while the DSRA team gets back on their feet.
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50: The Witchwood Crown – Generations of High Fantasy
The Witchwood Crown is the latest entry in Tad William’s new high fantasy book series, The Last King of Osten Ard. It marks his return to the world he created for his first series, Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, after 30 years away. Kyle Willoughby and Claire White have been reading everything thing they can from the continent […]
49: Beren and Lúthien – with Special Guests from “The Prancing Pony Podcast”
Best known as a centerpiece of the Silmarillion, J.R.R. Tolkien’s most personal tale has been unwrapped in a new book by Christopher Tolkien, his son. Kyle Willoughby and Claire White have been looking forward to its release for months. Here to share in this latest gift to fans of high fantasy are Alan Sisto and Shawn Marchese of […]
48: Spiderman: Homecoming – Embrace the Marvel Way
Spiderman: Homecoming is the 2nd reboot of Sony’s Spiderman film franchise, and this time they’re doing it the Marvel way. Kyle Willoughby and Claire White are happy residents of Queens and it’s time to talk about their borough’s greatest superhero. Kyle begins with a look at what makes the character so beloved and so different […]
47: The Handmaid’s Tale – It’s Happened Before
Margaret Atwood’s dystopian tale, portraying a puritanical theocracy in America, is now a television series on Hulu. Kyle Willoughby and Claire White discuss this latest adaptation of the popular book. Claire begins with a focus on the modern tyranny of totalitarian governments, particularly in 20th century eastern Europe. She explains why the creation of an […]
47: The Handmaid’s Tale – Show Notes
First Segment Atwood in West Berlin and the Soviet Union WWII and Countries Vanishing Overnight The Origin of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt Totalitarianism vs Old Tyrannies Government Expansion Control of the Press The appeal of Totalitarianism Devastation of stable societies Escape from reality Ideologies are the key to history Second Segment Margaret Atwood Born in […]
46: Wonder Woman – with Guest, Abraham Riesman **Spoilers**
Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman is the latest film in the DC Universe, and a success with both fans and critics. Kyle Willoughby and Claire White are excited to talk about the Amazonian superhero, and welcome New York Magazine culture writer, Abraham Riesman to the show! Kyle starts off with a little background on Wonder Woman’s […]
45: Aliens – Kyle’s Birthday Spectacular!
The conclusion of our birthday specials! We’re stepping away from current nerdy topics and indulging in our all-time favorites. Kyle’s pick is the James Cameron film, Aliens, the 1986 sequel to Ridley Scott’s, Alien. Kyle gives us a little background on the original film before launching into the genre of military science-fiction, the influence of Robert […]
45: Aliens – Show Notes
First Segment Alien Directed by Ridley Scott A somewhat straight forward “Haunted House” style film Group of people stuck inside a structure Murderous something picking them off one by one One of the most written about movies ever Art direction dominated by H.R. Giger Swiss surrealist painter Painted his nightmares Designed the “Xenomorph”, alien ship, […]
44: Treasure Island – Claire’s Birthday Spectacular!
A fun bit of DSRA trivia: The birthdays of Claire White and Kyle Willoughby are only 5 days apart! We’ve decided to celebrate this special time by taking a break from current nerdy topics and enjoying some all-time favorites. Claire’s pick is Treasure Island, the pirate adventure tale by Robert Louis Stevens. She begins the episode by […]
44: Treasure Island – Show Notes
First Segment Pirate Definition Buccaneer Definition Pirates at the Beginning Through Today The ‘Golden Age of Piracy ‘ The War of Spanish Succession’s effect on piracy Commissions from the British government Sir Francis Drake Crackdown on Piracy British and ‘legal’ piracy America’s Navy during the Mexican American War True Pirate Stereotypes A General History of […]
43: American Gods – Myths and Dreams of a Nation
Kyle Willoughby is back! He joins Claire White to discuss the Starz television series, American Gods, based on the acclaimed bestselling novel by Neil Gaiman. Claire considers Gaiman’s idea that America “eats other cultures”, and uses this thought to begin a discussion of the American Dream and what makes America distinct as a country. In the production […]
43: American Gods – Show Notes
First Segment Neil Gaiman on America Neil Gaiman’s America and American Gods The United States’ Population and Diversity The American Dream James Truslow Adams, Epic of America Other cultures and the individual Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness Leads to an individualistic society Claude S. Fischer, Made in America: A Social History of American […]
42: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – Show Notes
First Segment Comic Book Origins of the Film’s Core Team Star-Lord AKA Peter Quill Played by Chris Pratt Created by Steve Englehart and Steve Gann in Marvel Preview #4 – 1976 Englehart’s original plans for this “unpleasant, introverted jerk” Comparing his origins Drax the Destroyer Played by Dave Bautista Created by Jim Starlin (creator of […]
42: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 – From Niche to Blockbuster
It’s that time of the year when Marvel begins its rampage through the box office. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, opened in movie theaters on May 5th and is poised to build on the massive success of the first film. Claire White and producer/guest host James Fouhey are ready to talk about this new sci-fi […]
41: Ghost in the Shell – The Evolution of the Mind
The 1995 anime Ghost in the Shell, directed by Mamoru Oshii, grappled with the moral questions of technology in a visually striking future. It spawned countless imitations and sequels, including this year’s live action remake directed by Rupert Sanders and starring Scarlett Johansson. Kyle Willoughby and Claire White are more interested in the original film […]
41: Ghost in the Shell – Show Notes
First Segment Definition of Transhumanism Patterns v body Transhumanism Through History Fountain of Youth, Elixir of Life Christianity and the Resurrection through Science Roger Bacon The Enlightenment Nikolai Fedorov Henry Francis Carey – Dante’s Paradiso Pierre Teilhard de Chardin J.B.S. Haldane, Daedalus: Science and the Future Julian Huxley Modern Transhumanism Extropians Ray Kurzweil The Singularity […]
James’ Top 5 From 2016
Making this list was extra fun for me, because although I help select our topics–I almost never get to talk about them. The lone exception was Final Fantasy XV —check out that episode! Claire was surprised where our favorites overlapped, but I know she wasn’t surprised where Overwatch landed on this list. I’m pretty sure Kyle saw that […]
11: Suicide Squad – Show Notes
First Segment 1st Appearance of Suicide Squad – The Brave and the Bold #25 – 1959 Created by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru Ordinary People with Nothing to Lose Original Members of the Squad Secret History of Task Force X/The Suicide Squad – Secret Origins #14 – 1987 Rick Flag Sr. led a Suicide Squad in WWII before his son […]
40: Legion – Into the Mind of a Mutant. Special Guest, Karen Rought
Legion is the critically acclaimed new FX series about Marvel’s, David Haller, a powerful mutant suffering from mental illness. Kyle Willoughby and Claire White are happy to welcome Hypable.com’s, Karen Rought to discuss a superhero show unlike any before it. Kyle begins with Haller’s traumatic backstory, and then takes a closer look at the different portrayals of his “schizophrenia” as compared […]