Geek Freaks

• Aubrey Sitterson Breaks Down Free Planet and the Fight for Real Freedom

  In this special bonus episode of Geek Freaks, Frank is joined by acclaimed comic book writer Aubrey Sitterson to explore the radical, sci-fi world of Free Planet, his new series from Image Comics. Known for his bold storytelling and politically rich narratives, Aubrey takes us deep into the philosophical core of Free Planet, unpacking its themes of revolution, freedom, and the cost of building a better world. With deep dives into the creative process, the influence of history and anthropology, and the collaboration with artist Jed Dougherty, this episode is packed with insight and fire. Timestamps and Topics: 00:00 – Intro: Why this bonus episode matters 00:19 – Who is Aubrey Sitterson? Background and work 01:03 – The concept behind Free Planet 02:08 – Revolution, history, and political roots 04:30 – Defining real freedom and post-war challenges 07:53 – Layouts, spreads, and comic as object 09:46 – Balancing personal drama with large-scale politics 12:30 – Research-driven worldbuilding over aesthetics 18:06 – Interpersonal conflict as a reflection of ideology 22:34 – Creative process with Jed Dougherty 25:54 – Lettering innovations and character voice 28:01 – The unreliable narrator and historical context 34:11 – Print vs digital: Why Free Planet demands paper 43:01 – Final reflections and what’s next Key Takeaways: Aubrey Sitterson uses Free Planet to challenge conventional ideas of freedom and revolution. The comic is deeply researched, pulling from real-world political and cultural movements. Free Planet is built as a print-first experience, with double-page spreads, maps, and dense visual storytelling. The creative team—Jed Dougherty, Taylor Esposito, and Vittorio Astone—elevate the book’s layered vision. The book includes in-world historical commentary that questions neutrality and narrative control. Sitterson aims to create work that demands attention and resists passive reading. Quotes: “The only freedom worth having is the freedom you fight for.” – Aubrey Sitterson “We made Free Planet for people who want to sit with something and really think.” – Aubrey “Talon’s fan reaction was so strong, I had to restructure the story just to give him more space.” – Aubrey “There’s a difference between mimicking aesthetics and actually building something from the same roots.” – Aubrey Call to Action: Love these kinds of deep-dive interviews? Subscribe to Geek Freaks, leave a review, and share this episode using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Bonus episodes like this are just one of the many ways we celebrate creators and storytellers in geek culture. Links and Resources: All news and updates from this episode at GeekFreaksPodcast.com Pick up Free Planet from Image Comics — Available now at your local comic shop! Follow Us: Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast Threads: @geekfreakspodcast Facebook: Geek Freaks Podcast Twitter: @geekfreakspod Patreon: patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Listener Questions: Got a favorite indie comic or creator you think we should feature? Let us know on social or at GeekFreaksPodcast.com! Apple Podcast Tags: comics, sci-fi comics, Free Planet, Aubrey Sitterson, Image Comics, political comics, comic book creators, independent comics, comic interviews, revolutionary stories, space opera, speculative fiction, graphic novels, comic book podcast

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• Thunderbolts Rebranded, Mental Health in the MCU, and Producing Magic with Caitlin Delaney

  Frank and Jonathan break down Marvel’s surprise decision to market Thunderbolts as The New Avengers and share a spoiler‑free then spoiler‑filled review of the film. They explore its focus on mental health, standout character arcs, and smaller‑scale storytelling that still packs emotional weight. The episode also features an in‑depth interview with producer Caitlin Delaney, who explains what a service producer really does, how to launch movies on tight budgets, and why mentorship shortens every filmmaker’s learning curve. The hosts wrap with the latest entertainment headlines and weekly streaming picks. Timestamps and Topics 00:00  Introduction and episode roadmap 00:19  Thunderbolts becomes The New Avengers marketing shift 02:39  Thirty‑second spoiler‑free first reactions 03:09  Themes of loneliness, identity, and reaching out 05:24  Character deep dive: Yelena, Red Guardian, US Agent 07:03  MCU tonal shift toward smaller budgets and bigger heart 10:35  Spoiler zone: Bob versus the void and inception‑style mindscapes 24:02  Indie sensibilities from director Jake Schreier 26:35  Two mid‑credit scenes and future Avengers team speculation 30:44  Ratings: Frank 8 of 10, Jonathan 9 of 10 31:31  News roundup: Gears of War Reloaded, Shōgun season two, Peaky Blinders return, Fantastic Four prequel comics, new Hunger Games film 40:44  Interview: producer Caitlin Delaney on budgets, genre trends, and her online mentorship academy 57:00  Creating passion projects while keeping crews employed 1:06:11  Weekly recommendations and show close Key Takeaways The New Avengers rebrand signals Marvel’s intent to elevate a “B‑team” while keeping audience expectations realistic. The film’s core message highlights mental health struggles and self‑worth, showing how even “benchwarmers” can rise. Smaller budget and limited CGI allow richer character moments that tug at viewers’ emotions. Bob Reynolds / Sentry introduces massive power balanced by bipolar‑coded vulnerability, hinting at future MCU stakes. Indie director Jake Schreier’s muted color palette and tight locations give the movie an A24 vibe within the MCU. Two credit tags tease Red Guardian’s comedic future and a stronger rival Avengers squad led by Sam Wilson. Producer Caitlin Delaney explains how service producers turn money and script into finished films and why every creative benefits from mentorship. Memorable Quotes “Even the kid on the bench can hit a home run.” — Frank “The boundaries in your mind are also paper thin. You can break through them.” — Jonathan “Everybody in the industry needs to think like a producer now.” — Caitlin Delaney Call to Action Enjoyed the conversation? Subscribe on your favorite app, leave a quick review, and share the episode using #GeekFreaksPodcast so more geeks can join the fun. Links and Resources All news stories sourced from GeekFreaksPodcast.com Explore Caitlin Delaney’s producing academy: https://www.uplight.ca/  Thunderbolts and MCU Watch list: Black Widow, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Ant‑Man and the Wasp Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod Listener Questions We love spotlighting community thoughts. Send topic ideas, MCU hot‑takes, or filmmaking questions to [email protected] and we may feature you in an upcoming episode. apple podcast tags: Geek Freaks, Thunderbolts review, The New Avengers, Marvel Cinematic Universe, MCU mental health, Caitlin Delaney interview, indie filmmaking, movie producing, geek culture, comic book movies

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• Andor Fires Up, Oblivion Drops Again, WrestleMania Shocks, and A Maul Series Announced

  Frank, Jonathan and Squeaks pack this extra-long Geek Freaks with trivia giveaways, rapid-fire reviews, and the biggest headlines from Star Wars Celebration Japan. They grade the first three episodes of Andor season 2, Bethesda’s surprise Oblivion Remastered, the punishing new RPG Expedition 33, and WWE’s WrestleMania 41. Stick around for deep fandom news on Ahsoka, Darth Maul, Disney fortnight, Ready or Not 2, Hunger Games, a Geek Freaks network update, and fresh recommendations. Timestamps & Topics Time Topic 00:00 Welcome, cast intros, how the giveaway quiz works 01:17 Marvel trivia challenge – each correct answer unlocks free merch 04:45 Andor S2 E1-3 spoiler-lite review & letter grade 15:16 Oblivion Remastered impressions, performance talk 24:45 Hands-on with Expedition 33 and its timing-based combat 34:56 WrestleMania 41 results, Cena’s heel turn, Becky Lynch surprise 45:15 Star Wars Celebration recap – Outlaws DLC, Light & Magic S2, Ahsoka S2 casting, Visions S3, Darth Maul series, Shawn Levy’s Starfighter 58:35 Daredevil S4 date, Sarah Michelle Gellar joins Ready or Not 2 01:04:00 New Hunger Games: Sunrise of the Reaping casting & timeline 01:08:00 Network news – Fandom Portals Marvel month, Anime Plus, Challenge Accepted, Disney Moms Gone Wrong returns 5/11 01:09:55 Recommendations of the week 01:13:40 Final sign-off, how to win merch on social media Key Takeaways Audience giveaways return: each trivia answer right means another T-shirt up for grabs. Andor keeps its political edge; episode pacing feels slow yet purposeful earning an A- grade. Bethesda’s Oblivion Remastered modernises visuals but crashes push it to a solid 8/10. Expedition 33 surprises with reactive turn-based battles and near-flawless performance for a 9/10 score. WrestleMania 41 delivers crowd-pleasing twists, though overall hype falls to 7/10. Celebration reveals: Rory McCann replaces the late Ray Stevenson as Baylan Skoll, Admiral Ackbar joins the fight against Thrawn, Hayden Christensen cameo confirmed, and a Darth Maul animated series is on the way. Network highlight: Disney Moms Gone Wrong is back on May 11. Memorable Quotes “I’m already at the point where I’m sneaking around one-shotting bandits again… it feels like coming home.” – Frank on Oblivion Remastered “This is Final Fantasy meets Elden Ring and I can’t put the controller down.” – Squeaks on Expedition 33 “It dawned on me… Dedra and Syril are Dwight and Angela in space.” – Frank on the Empire power couple in Andor “John Cena just played the villain and the crowd didn’t know whether to boo or cry.” – Squeaks Call to Action Enjoying the show? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, leave a quick five-star review, and share the episode using #GeekFreaksPodcast so more geek friends can join the fun. Links & Resources All news sourced from GeekFreaksPodcast.com Geek Freaks Network shows: Geek Freaks, Challenge Accepted, Outlast, Anime Plus, Fandom Portals, Disney Moms Gone Wrong Follow Us Website: GeekFreaksPodcast.com Facebook: facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Instagram: instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast Threads: threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Twitter: twitter.com/geekfreakspod Patreon: patreon.com/GeekFreaksPodcast Listener Questions Got a hot take on Andor or thoughts on WrestleMania 41? Send voice memos or written questions to [email protected] and we may feature you next episode. Apple Podcast Tags Geek Culture, Star Wars, Marvel, WWE, Video Games, TV Reviews, Movie News, Comic Books, Podcasting, Fandom

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  1:14:12
• Inside the Massiverse with Kyle Higgins: Radiant Black, Rogue Sun, and What’s Next

  In this episode of Geek Freaks Interview, I’m joined by comic creator Kyle Higgins, the visionary behind Radiant Black and the ever-expanding Massive-Verse. Kyle dives into how he built a creator-owned superhero universe at Image Comics and walks us through the evolution of Radiant Black, the challenges of dual timelines in Catalyst War, and the collaborative process behind Rogue Sun, The Dead Lucky, and Inferno Girl Red. We also talk about the audio book, animated promos, and his thoughts on live-action vs. animation adaptations. Whether you're new to the Massive-Verse or a longtime fan, this conversation is a deep look into one of comics' most ambitious storytelling worlds. Timestamps and Topics: 00:00 Intro and welcome to Kyle Higgins 00:26 What is the Massive-Verse? 01:16 Radiant Black and its millennial superhero tone 03:34 The structure and accessibility of the Massive-Verse 05:07 Audiobook updates and voice talent reveals 06:59 Animated promos and creative marketing 08:03 The origin of Radiant Black and its influences 11:14 How Power Rangers and Toku storytelling shaped the series 14:15 Managing canon and creative direction in a multi-title universe 15:50 Writing dual timelines for Catalyst War 19:14 How the fan vote shaped the story’s direction 24:06 The "Rebuild Era" and aftermath world-building 27:33 Proliferation of 001 tech and rising threats 30:19 Rogue Sun’s new direction and layered family dynamics 33:37 Appreciation for the design and narrative tone of Rogue Sun 34:10 Live-action vs. animation: which is best for Radiant Black? 36:44 Navigating rights, control, and studio offers 40:28 Where to find the comics and meetups with the team Key Takeaways: The Massive-Verse is a creator-owned, shared superhero universe with interconnected titles that can also stand alone. Radiant Black explores modern adulthood and friendship through a fresh superhero lens, inspired by Power Rangers and 90s nostalgia. The dual timeline storytelling in Catalyst War was one of the hardest yet most rewarding challenges of Kyle’s career. The team is exploring creative and immersive ways to promote the comics, including animated promos and an audiobook with a star-studded voice cast. Live-action adaptations are possible, but only if the creators are in full control of the production. The new "Rebuild Era" reflects the consequences of superhero battles and explores what comes after the big events—something rarely addressed in comics. Rogue Sun is shifting its spotlight with a new lead character, deepening its themes of family and legacy. Quotes: “I want this to be a superhero book that celebrates being a fan of superheroes.” – Kyle Higgins “You’re either a Nathan or a Marshall... and you have a friend that’s the other one.” – Frank “Animation’s great. But if we’re doing an adaptation, we want full control. No compromises.” – Kyle Higgins Call to Action: Enjoyed the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share the episode with fellow comic book fans using #GeekFreaksInterview. It really helps more listeners find the show! Links and Resources: Visit https://GeekFreaksPodcast.com for the latest comic book news, episodes, and show updates. Follow Kyle Higgins and the Massive-Verse team on social media for con appearances and release updates. Grab Radiant Black TODAY Follow Us: 📘 Facebook: facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast 📸 Instagram: instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast 🐦 Twitter: twitter.com/geekfreakspod 🧵 Threads: threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast 💬 Patreon: patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Listener Questions: Have a question you want us to ask on the next interview? DM us or email through our site. We’d love to feature your thoughts in future episodes! Apple Podcast Tags: Radiant Black, Massive-Verse, Kyle Higgins, Image Comics, Rogue Sun, Dead Lucky, Supermassive, Comic Books, Superhero Comics, Creator-Owned Comics, Geek Freaks, Comic Podcast, Comic Book Interview

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  43:54
• From The Last of Us to South of Midnight: Spoilers, Harry Potter Casting, Marvel Rivals, Andor, and an Interview with Rich Davis

  In this episode, host Frank is joined by co-hosts Squeaks, Thomas, and a special guest, Rich Davis. The conversation covers a diverse range of topics including: A spoiler-safe review of The Last of Us Season Two—with honest impressions about its pacing, character dynamics, and setup for future episodes. An in-depth look at South by Midnight and its unique stop-motion animation style, paired with thoughts on narrative predictability. Hot discussions on the new Harry Potter series casting and what it means for fans—mixed reactions highlight both excitement and skepticism. A deep dive into Marvel Rivals Season Two, focusing on the innovative role of Emma Frost as Vanguard and gameplay nuances. A preview of Andor Season Two, with insights into rebellion backstories and ties to the original Star Wars narrative. An exclusive interview with Rich Davis about his upcoming dark fantasy comic, Angel Hunter, detailing his creative journey from theatre to comics and his plans for the series. Plus, the episode wraps up with several pop culture recommendations and community updates from the GeekFreaks Podcast crew—all powered by the freshest news from GeekFreaksPodcast.com. Timestamps & Topics 00:00:00 – 00:03:20: Episode introduction, jokes, and setting the tone. Brief banter on buddy cop movie duos to kick off the discussion. 00:03:20 – 00:14:42: The Last of Us Season Two review: First impressions, character interactions, and spoiler warnings. Discussion on key moments, including the subtle but impactful performance of Abby and Joel’s evolving dynamics. 00:14:42 – 00:23:42: South by Midnight review: Analysis of the animation style, atmosphere, and pacing. Reflections on what makes the game’s narrative both familiar and unique. 00:23:42 – 00:31:13: Harry Potter Casting Update: Announcements of John Lithgow as Hogwarts headmaster, Janet McTeer as McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Snape, Nick Frost as Hagrid, and more. Mixed reactions from the team with humorous banter on casting choices. 00:31:13 – 00:40:28: Marvel Rivals Season Two Discussion: Focus on the introduction of Emma Frost as Vanguard and the evolution of gameplay mechanics. Insights on character balance and strategy from the hosts’ experiences. 00:40:28 – 00:52:21: Andor Season Two Preview: A look back at Season One’s key heist and prison break moments. Discussion on how the series builds tension leading up to Rogue One and what to expect in upcoming episodes. 00:52:21 – 01:07:49: Interview Segment: Exclusive interview with Rich Davis about his new comic, Angel Hunter. Rich shares his creative journey—from playwriting and theatre to comic books—how personal challenges shaped his work, and insights into the evolving narrative of Angel Hunter. 01:07:49 – 01:14:20: GeekFreaks News & Recommendations: Updates on pop culture events (Marvel Month, CinemaCon, and watch parties). Weekly recommendations including a review of comics like Summer of Superman Special #1 and a discussion on upcoming projects like Lobo and future Marvel storylines. Key Takeaways The Last of Us Season Two offers plenty of set-up and evolving character relationships but leaves some fans craving more dynamic action early on. South by Midnight impresses with its stop-motion animation and atmospheric design, though its predictability may disappoint those seeking constant surprises. The casting for the new Harry Potter series sparks mixed reactions—while some choices hit the mark, others leave fans divided. Marvel Rivals Season Two innovates with Emma Frost as a Vanguard, shifting gameplay dynamics and encouraging strategic play. Andor Season Two is poised to deepen the Star Wars lore by exploring the origins of the rebellion and the imperial machinery leading up to Rogue One. Rich Davis’ interview reveals a passionate creative journey, highlighting his transition from theatre to comics and the ambitious roadmap for Angel Hunter. A range of pop culture recommendations and community events keeps the GeekFreaks Podcast crew and listeners in the loop with the latest trends. Memorable Quotes On Character Evolution: “I love Abby – she starts off as one of the most hated characters and then grows on you to become your favorite. That’s the magic of a well-told story.” On Casting Debates: “The casting for the new Harry Potter series is a double-edged sword – some picks hit the mark while others leave us scratching our heads.” On the Future of Comics: “Floppies are dead. Independent issues are evolving into full trade paperbacks that truly respect the art form.” Call to Action Enjoying the deep-dive into all things pop culture? Subscribe to our podcast for weekly episodes filled with in-depth reviews, interviews, and the latest geek news. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts and let us know your thoughts! Share this episode on social media using the hashtag #GeekFreaksPodcast so fellow fans can join the conversation. Links & Resources Stay up to date with all our news and insights! Visit our website for more details, articles, and exclusive content: 👉 GeekFreaksPodcast.com GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the trusted source for all news discussed during our show. Follow Us Connect with us on social media and never miss an update! Twitter: @GeekFreaksPod Instagram: @GeekFreaksPodcast Facebook: GeekFreaksPodcast Listener Questions We love hearing from our community! Send us your questions or suggest topics for future episodes by emailing us at [email protected] or tagging us on social media with #GeekFreaksPodcast. Apple Podcast Tags podcast, geek, pop culture, comics, video games, movies, The Last of Us, Harry Potter, Marvel, Andor, Angel Hunter, Rich Davis, GeekFreaksPodcast, TV, series, news,

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