The Annotated Chemical Box UPDATED

I recently appeared as a guest on The Chemical Box podcast to talk about comics and movies and writing about comics and not having time to watch movies.

[NOTE: THE PODCAST IS NOW POSTED! GO, LISTEN!]

These are the Top 10 Annotations for the episode.

1. The Golden Age spaceman comics of Basil Wolverton are good.

2. This guy doesn't like Rob Liefeld much, but he's dead wrong and you can tell just by looking at the sweet art he uses as examples. Also: Rob Liefeld drew THIS kernel of greatness.

3. Alec likes Savage Dragon comics a lot, especially this one but also all these ones.

4. Joey likes Suburbia, mostly because it was written by this guy, but also because it was directed by this guy, and stars this other guy. Tim agrees.

5. Mark Bagley used to be good. Oh wait, no he didn't.

6. We didn't talk about this movie at all.

7. Abhay didn't like this comic very much, and we wondered why the men-in-suits-shuffling-paperwork genre was popular with podcasters with bad taste.

8. Michael Deforge wrote and drew this just so Joey would have something to do for a month.

9. This is definitely NOT the best comic ever. But THIS may be!

10. There exists a demarcation in the world. On the one side, those who think they like movies but are actually quite ignorant and possibly evil. On the other side, those who actually like movies and have immense knowledge and insight. You can tell you're talking to someone in the former category because they continue to insist that this is a good movie, even though everyone else in the world knows they are wrong. I mean, yeesh!

Splash Page Podcast 16: Siege, Siege, Sentry, Siege

This week's Splash Page podcast is mostly about "Siege" and Chad and I mostly disagree about everything. Except how terrible the "Sentry: Fallen Sun" comic was. That's just a fact. Nothing to disagree about there.

What else do we talk about? Pretty much everything that's important in life and/or comics.

And all in a single, extra-long episode this week. Because that's what we're all about. Quality, in a compressed dose of limited quantity.

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcast Episode 16!

Splash Page Podcast 15.2: Esteem, Hellboy, Wizard!

How great is that Richard Corben cover? If you don't think it's one of the greatest images to ever grace a comic book blog and or comic book shop, then you are a person who keeps an address in crazytown, one block over from insanity house.

So. Second Splash Page episode of the week. What do Chad and I talk about? Oh, everything.

Creators who have risen or fallen in our esteem. Hellboy. Longboxes. Wizard magazine. Jack Kirby's Eternals. Very sad X-Men. Iron Fist. And more.

Done in an extra low-key, smooth grove style.

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcast Episode 15.2!

Splash Page Podcast 15.1: Beast Boy, Thor, Gods!

Brian Cronin was nice enough to devote a few days of "Greatest Stories" month at Comics Should Be Good to Chad and I, mostly based around a long-ago discussion of Warren Ellis vs. Geoff Johns.

And then I went and chose Garfield Logan as my character, and the internet shrugged its shoulders.

We also talk about "I, Zombie" #1 and plenty of other comics this week. And I mess up the intro (twice, basically) but Chad doesn't bother editing it out because he wants to show you how human we are. Or how bad I am at saying words in a row.

Listen: Splash Page Podcast Episode 15.1!

Splash Page Podcast 14.2: Who, Hickman, Legion Espionage Squad!

Chad = big fan of "Babylon 5." Yet he hasn't been watching the new "Doctor Who." I'm pretty sure "Doctor Who" > "Babylon 5." No. It's a fact, actually.

So we talk about that. And tons of comics. Tons!

Like ones starring Dash Bad Horse, even if he doesn't appear in the issue. And ones starring Superman, even if barely appears in the issue. And ones starring a whole batch of warriors who operate in secret. And a family of four, with fantastic powers.

And John Romita, Jr.

Listen: Splash Page Podcast Episode 14.2!

Splash Page Podcast 14.1: Freebies, Bendis, Arkhammy!

Free Comic Book Day happened. We talk about that. Or we talk about how it's going to happen. One or the other.

And we talk about what's going on in "Detective Comics" and "Captain America" and other things of great import. Like "New Avengers" #64. Life-altering conversations, I'm sure.

And more.

Listen: Splash Page Podcast Episode 14.1!

Splash Page Podcast 13.2: Energy, Unity, Style!

This is where Chad and I develop a four-point mapping system for discussing all comic book writers. I'll expand it into a WWC column or four at some point, but we basically quantify every major writer according to our new, completely made-up, criteria. But it guides our discussion of a few important comics of the week.

Like "Who Won't Wield the Shield" and "Joe the Barbarian" and "DV8" and "The Spirit."

Comics, all!

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcast Episode 13.2.

Splash Page Podcast 13.1: Babs, Bullets, Better Comics

This is the episode where we talk about the now-infamous "Brave and the Bold" #33, the one where Batgirl dances. Then gets shot in the spine. No thanks to her superhero pals!

I think I explain my critical approach to comics in this podcast, or say other smart things about smart topics. Or not.

I'm sure it's a good one, though, because it has a discussion of Cliff Chiang, and anything involving that man always comes out great. Unless it's "Brave and the Bold" #33. Totally not his fault.

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcast Episode 13.1!

Splash Page Podcast 12.2: Straczynski, Doc Savage, Chad Writes Comics

J. Michael Straczynski writing about Superman walking across the country to learn about himself, to learn about America? Yeah, we talk about that.

(I think. We recorded this a while ago, so maybe we talk about something completely different.)

We also probably talk about "Doc Savage" #1 and Chad's history as a writer, including his comics that are so famous, they ended up on a t-shirt.

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcast Episode 12.2!

Splash Page Podcast Episode 12.1: Frank Miller! More!

The booze, the broads, and the bullets -- we talk about them all in this week's Splash Page episode. It's Frank Miller, non-stop. Except for all the time we spend talking about other things. Like our new theme song. And MoCCA. And other things.

Besides that, it's Chad and I talking about Frank Miller and why I don't think the "Wolverine" miniseries is very good. And more!

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcast Episode 12.1!

The Splash Page Podcast, Episode 11.2: I'm Sorry

I forgot to post a link to our second podcast from last week, but that's not why I'm sorry.

I'm sorry because I spent more time talking about "Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Season Eight" #34. Or, as I like to call it: Brad Meltzer likes Alan Moore comics, but has really bad taste, example #infinity.

Chad and I also talk about other important things, like bad readers, bad teachers, and good comics.

LISTEN: The Splash Page Podcast Episode 11.2!

The Splash Page Podcast, Episode 11.1: Talking, Shielding

I bumped into some people on my world travels this weekend who said, "hey, I love the podcast you and Chad are doing." Thanks for saying that, people of the world.

And because of your love, we talk about podcasting in this week's meta-podcast which also provides a snapshot of the CBR review staff -- per popular demand -- and a debate about Jonathan Hickman's new "S.H.I.E.L.D." comic. Is it really great, or just great? That seems to be the point of contention.

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcast Episode 11.1!

The Splash Page Solocast: Callahan-Style

With Chad away on some kind of Easter mission into the hinterlands, we couldn't get together to record the normal Splash Page Podcast this week. (Not that we ever actually get together, but we are both online at the same time, and that counts for something. And we couldn't even do that this weekend.)

So what you get instead is the first Splash Page Solocast, featuring me and me alone. No nonsense about wrestling or Canada or why Geoff Johns is not awesome. Just me talking about what I read last week, what I've been working on, a whole lot of Bendis and Finch "New Avengers" talk, a shout-out to "GØDLAND," and message board idiocy. The usual. But without Chad. And more serious, because it's not like I'm going to try to make jokes on my own behalf and then laugh at myself.

Oh, and I refer to Brendan McCarthy as Peter Milligan at one point, which is pretty dumb.

Other than that, I'm sure it's some kind of brilliant episode. Chad's Solocast will follow on Monday, if all goes according to plan. Then back to normal next week.

LISTEN: The Splash Page Callahan Solocast!

Splash Page Podcast 10.2: Feiffer, Chad's Prejudice!

This is the episode where I explain Jules Feiffer to Chad, and Chad explains his prejudice toward southern accents to me. Plus, we talk comics, like Scalped and the Incredibles.

And other important stuff. Like what I'm going to submit for my "When Words Collide" column. Except that already happened. It's like a time capsule in an internet audio can.

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcast Episode 10.2!

Splash Page Podcast 10.1: Deadshot, Clooney!

So just as we start recording, my headset mic starts to sputter and blink and stop working. That was annoying. Luckily I had an external mic and a different set of headphones nearby, so I used those for this week's Splash Page Podcast, but now my audio sounds like I was recording from inside a fish tank.

If you can get past that, I'm sure you'll find a lot to like about this episode, as Chad and I spend most of the time making fun of stuff and barely make any valid points about anything. Well, I mean, I make plenty of valid points, but they are couched in humor and irony. And Chad, I don't know what he's talking about half the time. He hadn't even heard of Jules Feiffer until ten minutes ago.

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcast Episode 10.1!

Splash Page Podcast 9.2: Vampires, Soldiers, Superheroes

I haven't linked to the Splash Page podcast episode 9.2 yet? I assume you all subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or some magical internet app that I don't understand. So these postings are probably superfluous anyway.

But maybe not. Maybe you check this site every day and await further updates. Those "daily" updates I mockingly reference in the masthead. Ha!

Well, here's the second part of last week's podcast, then. Where we talk about "American Vampire," "Batman," "Battlefields," "Joe the Barbarian" and who knows what else. It's good, though. I assure you.

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcast Episode 9.2!

Splash Page Podcast 9.1: Siegey, Wrestley

I'll be reviewing "WWE Heroes" for CBR this week, but Chad and I talk about the comic in the Splash Page Podcast and we may or may not have anything nice to say about it.

We also talk "Siege" #3 and some other related stuff.

Plus, I tell Chad about "Amazing Heroes," a magazine that he had never heard of in his life! Crazy, I know.

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcast Episode 9.1!

Splash Page Podcast 8.2: Swampy, Dr. Strangeriffic

I never posted a link to part two of Episode 8? Well, here you go.

With Episode 9 coming very soon, now's your chance to listen to the Splash Page Podcast ep in which Chad and I sort of wrap up our "Sandman" discussion, talk about other random comics of the week -- like that fancy Dr. Strange black and white book with Frazer Irving in it -- and probably say plenty of other smart stuff.

Like how "The Anatomy Lesson" is the best single issue ever. I think I say that. Because it's true. I don't know. Listen for yourself and judge.

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcast Episode 8.2!

Splash Page Podcast 8.1: Amazonian, Sandmanny.

Once upon a time, I scored a TON of comics on the cheap from a little store named Amazon.com. I talk about that a little and then Chad Nevett get into our usual comic chit-chat and possibly make fun of a whole bunch of people and or fictional characters.

But we also talk "Sandman," the Neil Gaiman epic that has either fallen out of favor or has become such a venerated classic that no one bothers to actually look at the comics anymore. Its legend, its reputation, has surpassed its actuality. Is it just a goth/emo comic for the 1990s? Is it good-to-middling fantasy? Is it amazing?

Chad and I talk about the first sixteen issues of the series and... well, you'll have to listen to find out.

LISTEN: The Splash Page Podcast Episode 8.1!

Splash Page Podcast Episode 7.2: Demotastic, Marvellous (Boy)

Chris Bachalo, I love you, but this is the worst costume design you've ever perpetrated on the world of Marvel characters who started out as proto-Ultimate universe characters and later turned into Dark Avengers and now are completely marginalized in the back of poorly-written comics. And if Chris Bachalo didn't design this costume, I forgive him.

This podcast episode is all about Noh Varr, except the parts where we talk about "Demo" and "Ultimate Avengers" and a bunch of other stuff.

Oh, and we answer the cliffhanger from Ep. 7.1 Sort of.

LISTEN: Splash Page Podcase Episode 7.2!