Geek Syndicate

Welcome to Episode 210 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. News Daredevil is cast as Batman is Batman vs Superman Agents of Shield Summer That Was As it's been a while we try and play catch up with some of the books, comics, TV shows and Films we've been watching and reading over the summer months. Definance Half Past Danger Wild Blue Yonder Mind Management Justice League: Flashpoint Paradox Continuum Main Man of Steel retrospective. We take a SPOILER filled look at Man of Steel.

Red flags flying the Dissecting World duo man the barricades & storm China Melville's revolutionary fantasy novel 'The Iron Council. In so doing they shunt through such topics as: - Industrialisation & Imperialism - Terrorism v Freedom Fighting - The coffee house & twitter revolutionaries Steaming through universes as divergent as Tolkien, Adrian Tchaikovsky's Shadows of the Apt, Game of Thrones & Conan's Hyboria they consider: - Does fantasy have to be conservative ? - Do revolution narratives need a certain technological base ? - The democratic nature of guns (& or crossbows). Kehaars blog post on guns in fantasy mentioned is here : http://clarkythecruel.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/gunpowder-in-fantasy-rpgs/ Forgotten Planet Kickstarter link http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/339233852/forgotten-planet-by-peter-rogers-and-giancarlo-car

After a break from our usual topic to discuss Age of Ultron it's now straight back into the original X-Men issues. This month we're taking a look at issues 17 and 18 (1966) in which the X-Men recover from their battle with the Sentinels and a mysterious villain arrives to take down our heroes! We also talk about The Wolverine, our recent travels, and the upcoming End of X-Factor. As always, thanks so much for all your tweets, we love to hear from you guys so keep 'em coming!

Fresh from the transpennine school for talented pedants the latest seminar recording looks at those classic, hardy & perennial rebels the X-Men. In so doing we look at: * Civil disobedience v revolution * Malcolm X v Martin Luther King * Why all the mutant hate? * DC v Marvel heroes * Where does Spider-Man fit in all this? * Superhuman Injury ambulance chasing lawyers * Homosexuality & the Singer Movies * Purity in the ghetto & the fake nerd girls debate. * Genosha & Israel * Fables & the Animal Farm Feedback is adored please email [email protected], tweet @dissectingwrlds or check out our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/DissectingWorlds

This episode we take some time out from our standard format to take a closer look at Age of Ultron. Also, we go through all the other X-titles we are currently following to catch up on where they're at and what's going on.

In the latest episode of the pod Ant and Amaechi are joined by guest host and resident GS PC gamer Matt Farr. We discuss the merits of multi-player modes in so many new games like Tomb Raider, Mass Effect 3 and the Last of Us. News In this weeks news: The Steam sales provide many great bargains and becomes a mini games in itself with trading cards Crowd Funded space combot sim game Star Citizen gets Ant's money LoveFilm ends game rentals League of Legends Pro Gamers get athlete recognition in the US The Oculus Rift VR headset is the real deal Micosoft ponders bringing back Family Game share feature Reviews In the reviews section we show some love to PC gaming with a review of Guild Wars 2 and we also review The Walking Dead: 400 Days DLC.

Hello there, thanks for joining us again on our jaunt through the joyous worlds of fantasy, science fiction and horror. Who knows what we may find? (Well I do, I suppose.) Here's a quick run down - News Bites: Before any journey it's always best to fortify yourself, so we take a bit of time to chew over the latest literary events. Author's Delight: We begin with a short stroll in the company of a seasoned explorer - a chance to chat with an author about one of their all-time favourite reads. On this occasion we're joined by Adam Christopher from Angry Robot, to discuss Veronica. The Flash Fiction Challenge: Our listeners take a short dash up the creative slope each month in our writing challenge. In this segment we read out the top tales and talk about them. Night at the Round Table: The picnic blankets out and the wine has begun to flow. Must be time to take in the view, show down and indulge in a rambling discussion. Author Interview: Finally, we metaphorically hole-up in a pub, get drunk and talk to strangers until the taxi turns up. Fortunately, James Treadwell is a congenial companion, as well as a damned fine writer. Competition time: On the way home we rashly offer up not one, but two great books in a dead easy competition, because you're our Best Friend and we Love you. No, no, we really Do! (Ooh. Is it me or has the world gone a bit spinny?) Contact us via e-mail at [email protected] / tweet @Dion_Scrolls @Phlambler or @Gouldshire or leave us your thoughts with your actual voice by Skyping me at dion.winton.polak Scrolls is looking for a lighter and more agile format, so listen in horrified fascination as the very hungry caterpillars continue their metamorphosis. Feedback is welcomed in the Comments section below (as are author recommendations and ways to squeeze more reading time out of a jam-packed week!)

This time the Johnny Alpha & Wulf Sternhammer of the Geek Syndicate Network look at rebellions & revolutions in the pages of anti-establishment anthology comic 2000ad. Including: - Strontium Dog - revolutions & betrayal - Judge Dredd - authority figure & eternal rebel - The many revolutionaries of Pat Mills - Nemesis the Warlock, Savage, ABC Warriors & Slaine. Eddies of the time war impede on call quality sometimes but we hope you enjoy the show.Here are links to some of Rich Clements stuff: FutureQuake:http://www.futurequake.co.uk/ Zarjaz Blog:http://thequaequamblog.blogspot.co.uk/And a couple of Rich's books:http://www.renegadeartsentertainment.com/comics/turning-tiger/turning-tiger-special-editionhttp://www.markosia.com/titles/ketsueki/And also, this short story Keharr wrote many years ago may be relevant tothe discussion:http://www.2000adreview.co.uk/fiction/2006/bythepeople/forthepeople.shtml Competition! A reminder that our competition closes at the end of July! Full details can be found here: http://geeksyndicate.co.uk/2013/06/22/competition-design-a-uniform-for-dissecting-worlds/

Join us for episode 53 of The Next Level. Recorded the day after Microsoft's XBox 180 turnaround, Amaechi, Barry and Ant discuss the console reveals at E3 2013, their thoughts on both major console releases and some of the games that were announced.

This episode we get stuck into the first appearance of the X-Men's iconic enemies, the Sentinels. We have two special guests on the show, Denis and Gavin from the Liberation Frequency who come onboard to help us talk through these three issues.

Welcome to Episode 43 which is also our podiversary, 4 long years of Stace and Lee providing your earholes with Geordiebrumophonics and a multitude of Indie press goodness. In this episode we review The Gigantic Beard That Was Evil, The Impossible Crossing, Deadbeats, Solid State Tank Girl, Inktitioner AND more! We also swear a little more than usual for which we blame each other - though obviously it was Lee's fault!

The Geek Syndicate Network’s Northern Liberation Front (GSNNLF) today considers contemporary , recent and near future resisters to invasion in science fiction and horror. Topics covered include: · Falling skies, Knights of God and national myths for resistance movements · Fringe and resistance cells · Sliders, War of the Worlds (TV), Invasion! (2000ad) and big rebel bases · Revolutionary Art and Savage (2000ad) · The risks of brutal occupation v seduction of the occupiers · Sinister Soviets: Red Dawn and ‘The Price of Freedom’ RPG · Rubbish aliens: Footfall and World War in the Balance · Post apocalyptic liberation: The Postman and The Survivalist novels · Does World War Z count? · Where are the militia movements in the X-files? With nods to the Terminator and Matrix movies and also They Live! But Wait! There's More! Our Design a Uniform competition is to design a uniform and communicate it to us (whether using art, writing, audio file, Cosplay, interpretive dance, mime etc;) for a resistance movement by 31/07/2013 · This isn’t an art competition it’s more about how the uniform communicates something about the world and the resisters. · It could be a dress uniform, field dress, an armband or badge, sports/PT kit even a salute or handshake. · It can be for an established universe, a ‘what if’ variant of a published/broadcast background be it TV, movie, game etc; your own works you have a totally free choice. The prizes are a copy of David Brin’s the Postman and a copy of either the Bernard Cornwall Arthurian trilogy (the Winter King etc;) or Robert Anton Wilson’s Schrodinger Cats and Illuminatus trilogies . Send your entry to [email protected] with the Title RESISTANCE! by 31/07/2013 and specify if you want the Bernard Cornwall or the Robert Anton Wilson books.

Welcome to Episode 209 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. News Avengers return to animation Star Wars Rebels announced Week that was The Murder Mile Empire state Doctor Who-The Name of the Doctor

The boys return after a being away in April due to holidays, house moves and mountainous workloads. In this episode we of course discuss Microsoft's official unveiling on the Xbox One. In the News EA confirm they have no Wii U games in development or have plans for future games Deathstroke coming to Batman Origins and all the latest news on the next Batman game Are teaser trailers that don't show gameplay worthwhile The pro's and cons of pre-ordering games Gran Turismo 6 announced for PS3 but no mention of a PS4 version.

Welcome to Episode 208 of Geek Syndicate! Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. News Stars Wars Riot...kind of...not really. The return of Jack Bauer Drew Pearce takes on Mission Impossible 5 Producer of The Dark Knight brings us 'The Great S Cape' Week That Was Man of steel trailer 3 Half Past Danger issue 1 Age of Ultron Avengers Assemble issue 15 Agents of Shield Trailer Riddick Castle Main Star Trek Into Darkness Review

This month on Children of the Atom, Shane is back from his trip to see Wrestlemania in New York and it's time to get stuck into two more issues of X-Men. In issues 12 and 13 we meet Professor X's unsavory step-brother Cain Marko, a character possibly better known by his supervillain title: Juggernaut! As the X-Men battle is out against this terrible foe Professor X fills them in on the story of how Cain came to have his awesome powers...

Welcome back to our cosy nook. Pull up an armchair, pour yourself a soothing drink and join us for a good chat. These episodes are always special to me because we get to delve into the books under discussion in a much fuller way than our usual episodes allow. Needless to say this means spoilers, so we recommend that listeners read the book in advance. This episode we explore Neil Gaiman's mythical masterpiece, American Gods. This is a toughie to describe. In some ways it's a road-trip around the hidden highways of the USA, in others it's a meditation on belief. The book is wildly unpredictable, utterly charming and chilling in equal measures. As ever, two of the Scrolls team have stepped aside to make space for two of You. Joining Dion and Clover in the discussion are avid readers Jenny Williams and Bernice Watson. Congratulations to Jenny, who has just been signed by Headline. Her first book with them is called The Copper Promise and it is due to be published in the Spring of 2014. An e-book of the first part of this story is available on Kindle and, having read it, I'm eagerly awaiting the the rest of the tale. You may recognise Bernice from theChildren of the Atom podcast, here on the Geek Syndicate Network. She also makes audio and video appearances at Liberation Frequency, a site dedicated to bringing exposure to 'new bands, artists and comedians.' Check them out. One last plug - Clover appears on the latest episode of Stacey's Pop Culture Parlour for a chilled out chat about... bazongas?! So, line that up after the Book Group for a change of pace. If you want to carry on the conversation you can post your comments down below. We'd love to hear from you. Our August episode will be on Only Forward by Michael Marshall Smith. The final Book Group this year will (rather appropriately) be Terminus by Adam Baker: a zombie thriller with a difference. We have room for one more guest on both of these episodes so get in touch if you want to be involved. E-mail us at [email protected] or tweet straight @Dion_Scrolls to bag your spot in the show. If you don't fancy either of these books you know what to do - tell us what book you would like to chat about and we'll start booking slots for 2014.

Welcome to Episode 206 of Geek Syndicate! Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. News RIP Ray Harryhausen Blade and Ghost Rider Return to Marvel Shane Black to Direct/co-write "Doc Savage" Week that was Continuum Season 2 Episode 1 Iron Man 3 Ender's Game Trailer Main Interview with Vivacity Bliss and Ava Iscariot of Caberet Roulette to chat about their upcoming Sci-fi themed Burlesque show.

Welcome to Episode 206 of Geek Syndicate! Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. No extra doctor's for the Doctor Who 50th Anniversary First images from BBC's The Three Musketeers Week that was Porcelain Defiance Young Justice Clone Wars Main We look at Doctor Who Series 7 part 2.

Scrolls is dead. Long live Scrolls! We've had a hell of a lot of fun burbling away about various topics over the last three years, but its time for a fresh start. The gang are all here still, and the focus of the podcast remains on our favourite genres of books but we've shifted format in an effort to become more listener friendly and provide you with more books worth reading. What does that mean? In a nutshell, we've split the programme into segments and gone out of our way to get contributions from a much wider group of people. Some features will be regular, others will drop in and out as the mood takes us, but our ever constant guide will be the love of and discussion about books. And cake. Obviously. This first episode kicks off with a general round up of what we're Reading Right Now, including input from our Twitter followers. You can use the hash-tag #RRNow to contribute to this infrequent but ongoing conversation. It doesn't have to be an essay, just let us know what you're reading, who it's by and why you think other listeners would like to read it. Alternatively, if you'd like to submit a longer review, send it to [email protected] and we'll read it out. Next up is the Author Interview, in which Phil talks with dark fantasist and environmental horror supremo Joseph D'Lacey about his career - past, present and future. If you have an author you would like us to interview in the future, e-mail your suggestions to [email protected] and we'll see what we can do. We then unveil the results of our first Flash Fiction competition - a monthly challenge open to all-comers. The best three entries are read out, we discuss their merits and choose a winner. Listen out also for next month's challenge. Your deadline will be 8:30 pm, Thursday 16th May. The top three will be published on the Geek Syndicate website each month and the winner will receive a book. Need your fix more regularly? Pop along to Thrills, Kills 'n' Chaos or join Colleen Foley at the Prediction for weekly Flash fun. After setting the next month's challenge, it's Author's Delight. Wolfblood creator and novelist Debbie Moon joins us briefly to share one of her all-time favourite reads. This will be another regular feature, highlighting the books that authors rate most highly. Next Episode we'll be joined by Adam Christopher. Any other authors out there who want to take part in future episodes, just e-mail us at [email protected] or tweet @Dion_Scrolls We wrap things up with The Big Debate. The team settle down to chew over the toughest of topics and try to get each other to swallow their arguments. It may be an exercise in futility, but we love wrangling with words almost as much as reading them. This'll likely be a fixture in every episode. If you have a topic you want to set us for the future then e-mail it to us at [email protected] then stand well back. More ways to interact! Scrolls now has a Skype answerphone set up, so if you want to contact us about any of the above topics, suggest new segments, have your own dulcet tone appear on the podcast or simply give us feedback, then call us at dion.winton.polak any time of day. It seems to work...(Remember, the Editor is magic, so don't panic) Love listening to Clover's laughter? Visit Stacey's Pop Culture Parlour where Clover is her latest guest. Between giggles they talk about a whole bunch of topics that are not book related and one or two that are. Last, but not least, we welcome feedback in the Comments section, especially from people who have never been in touch before. Keep reading.

Join Barry and GS team member Christophe Montoya in this spoiler heavy (you have been warned) review of Iron Man 3. Christophe then takes to the sky, coutesy of his own mini arc reactor, while Barry stays grounded for an interview/chat with Drew Pearce (with even more spoliers) the co-writer of the Iron Man 3 screenplay. Together they discuss what it was like co-writing with Shane Black, working on a Marvel film post Avengers, fitting Iron Man 3 into Marvel Phrase 2, the end credit sequence and much more!

The Merry Men of the blasted moors of West Yorkshire and Sun-caressed Mersey Riviera team up to take on another wibbly-wobbly man of folklore and legend - Robin Hood. Having learnt nothing from their tussle with King Arthur back in the Leadership series except to get on board a knowledgeable expert in the form of Ant from 'The Next Level' podcast to look at: Robin Hood - class hero, bandit or national liberator ? What is good Kingship and does it involve invading the Middle East ? The many intrigues of Robin of Sherwood TV series Robin Hood analogues including Che Guevara, the Water Margin and William Tell Alan Rickman and the Heroes dramatic beats Robin Hood in comics from Green Arrow to Outlaw and back again Merry men and the foco theory Legends of Zelda (and Neil) The Death of Legends So pull on your tights, put a feather in your cap, watch out for the Sheriff and join us! Feedback on twitter to @dissectingwrlds or email [email protected] or even better would be a 3-5 minute audio clip for our conclusions episode. Too the Green Wood!

This month, while Shane is away at Wrestlemania, I chat with Gavin from Liberation Frequency and Denis from Ground Level about Marvel NOW, how it compares to the DC New 52, what titles they've picked up, and what they think of recent trends in comics.

It's been a long road from where we began, but Scrolls as we know it has come to an end. On our final ramble through the genres the team reflect upon the ever-present motif of the Journey - What exactly do authors get from dragging us all over their worlds, why do we travel anyway and how does the experience inform our lives? When we manage to stick to the topic we wander through The Thirteen and a Half Lives of Captain Bluebear, The Long Earth, The Hollowing, Neuromancer and Double Dead, among others. When we stumble off the path you'll hear little vignettes about life at Waterstone's, love custard, curried chocolates, hairy arses and the inevitable destruction of life on Earth. Don't panic.Journey's End is dedicated to Mattie's dear friend Charlotte Lamb and Phil's beloved grandmother who both sadly passed away around the time The Journey (aka Journey's End) was recorded.One notable absence from our discussions is the divine road-novel American Gods but don't worry, we'll be doing a Book Group podcast on that pretty darn soon. Oh yeah, the Book Group will continue, never fear. We'll still be doing Scrolls, for that matter but our format is changing considerably. We are becoming more focused and more interactive, which means we need YOU! Here are a few ways that you can help add content to our future episodes.As well as talking about what we're currently reading we want to hear from YOU. Tweet mini reviews of what you're reading right now [using the hashtag #RRNow ] and we will read them out on air. Alternatively you can e-mail mini-reviews to us at [email protected] and again, we'll read them out in the podcast.We're always up for a debate, so toss some topics at us to chew over. Do YOU think Dragons are rubbish? That the short story is dead? Do you have a problem with gender politics in horror? Ask us a question or challenge our opinions and we will argue with each other for your entertainment. E-mail [email protected] want to tell people about the Best books out there, but we only have so much time to read. If YOU have read a book that you would mark 5/5 then let us know. The review can be as long or as short as you like. You can submit it via e-mail at [email protected] or send us an audio file. Either way, we'll share your review with our listeners and help to spread the love.Finally, there's the Flash Fiction Challenge. Each episode we'll choose a winner from the last challenge, read out the top three and then set your challenge for the following month. Your word limit is 100 but your imagination can be boundless. Here are the words to get YOU started on the first challenge - Thrashing, Charged, Flag and Bone. Use them all in whatever context you like, then e-mail your entries to us at [email protected] The deadline is 8:30 pm GMT on 14th April 2013.(You will receive full credit and your stories will be published on the Geek Syndicate website as well after each episode goes live, unless you request otherwise.)And that's about it, for now. Thank you all for listening to our little show. We hope you've enjoyed the first Volume, and we also hope that the sequel continues to tickle your fancy.Post your comments and feedback below, tell your friends about us, but most importantly...Keep reading.

Welcome to Episode 205 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. News Ice Warriors return to Doctor Who Sam Mendes leaves Bond GS blogger Liz de Jager signs deal for her young adult novel Week that was Castle which leads into a drunken spoiler rant from Nuge Continuum Primeval New World Age of Ultron Daredevil End of Days Dredd

Arise, ye workers from your slumber,Arise, ye prisoners of want.For reason in revolt now thunders,and at last ends the age of cant!Away with all your superstitions,Servile masses, arise, arise!We'll change henceforth the old tradition,And spurn the dust to win the prize!So comrades, come rally,And the last fight let us face.The Interstellar,Unites the human race.So comrades, come rally,And the last fight let us face.The Interstellar,Unites the human race. In this episode the Northern Comrades man the barricades and consider rebellions in space. Starting with the bourgeois deviation from the class struggle that is Star Wars, they proceed to consider the splitter tendencies of Blakes 7 with deviations into: The stark analogues of Battlestar Galactica Different countries view of rebellion Emotion and Reason in revolt Subtle rebellion in Babylon 5 Whig history and space revolts Are you revolting for or against something? The Marquis and the Bajoran Revolution Where's Star Wars Call-Me-Kenneth The complexities of Farscape Mal Reynolds two-fingered revolt Raise the banner and join us of the barricades. Join the debate: By email or audio contributions for our conclusions episode to [email protected] On twitter to @dissectingwrlds In the comments below

In Episode 51 of the Next Level Amaechi, Barry and Antony take a look at the recent gaming news, including the PS4 reveal and the choices made for Gears of War: Judgement Multiplayer. Also this episode: find out what The Nuge makes of the new Lara Croft: Tomb Raider game.

Welcome to the latest episode of Small Press Big Mouth, this is Episode 42: The Meaning of Grice. Lee and Stace have a good old rambling chat about all sorts of thing - including The British Comic Awards, Porcelain, Lou Scannon, The Spooky Womb and Razorhawk. Lee couldn't hear Stacey at times and Stacey barely finishes a sentence - that's right we're back!

Welcome to Episode 204 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. News The Three Musketeers is coming to BBC RIP James Herbert Tom Cruise circles man from uncle Escape from New York Reboot? Week that was Neverwhere audio drama Five Ghosts Main We give a thumbs up or down to some of the US TV pilots coming our way.

Welcome to the latest podcast on the Geek Syndicate Network. We've had so much fun recording the Christmas game-show episodes over the last few years, we've decided to take the show on the road every three months. Each episode of Battle Gods Of Pod will pit three contestants against each other in a series of games specifically designed to test their podcasting skills and geek knowledge. The winner of each episode will go forward to the Christmas special for the ultimate showdown. Series 1 is hosted by Dion Winton-Polak. This pilot episode features the well oiled muscles and silver tongues of Christophe Montoya, Barry Nugent and Phil Ambler. Games include New Testaments, Speaking In Tongues, Convert The Masses and Gotterdammerung (as well as playing for time, playing hard to get and playing silly buggers.) We would be happy to receive any and all constructive feedback on this podcast, as well as nominations and requests to join us in future episodes via e-mail at [email protected] or @BattleGods_Pod if you prefer Twitter. (Please note, for this first series we are sticking to podcasters within the Geek Syndicate family, but next year we will begin to welcome people from all other areas of geekdom.) Credits where credit's due: If you discover somebody new and want to hear more from them after the show, track down their reviews and articles on our website, and also catch them on their own podcasts: Christophe is one of the Trailer Trash Two, who analyse and discuss the latest happenings in the world of cinema. He can be found on twitter @montoc1701 and hanging around street corners at peculiar hours Barry delves into pretty much every pot on the Geek Syndicate podcast, but can also be found intermittently on The Next Level and Geek To Geek. He can be e-mailed [email protected] tweeted @GeekSyndicate or thrown money at www.unseenshadows.com Phil joins Dion on Scrolls, the podcast for literary geekdom chatting about Fantasy, SF and Horror books more or less monthly. (Ok, less.) He can be abused on twitter @Phlambler but he'd really prefer to have a friendly chat. Dion runs a Book Group alongside of Scrolls, and tries to pop up in other places where he can. Bit of a slag, really. You can molest him on Twitter @Dion_Scrolls or e-mail him [email protected] if you prefer privacy. The music we use is called 'Battle Gods of the Universe.' It is performed by Domine and comes from their album 'Emperor Of The Black Runes' (which you can purchase at all reputable retailers) Incidental sound effects all come from freesound, which is a fabulous resource. As per their regulations, the sounds used in this episode are listed below, along with their originators. Guillottine test 02.ogg by Glaneur de sons BullBellow.mp3 by Acclivity hotel-bell-2.aif by Spleencast tibetan chant falsalama 2 wet.wav by Falsalama Wolf 41.wav by y89312 20.0 Destruction.wav by Dangerbabe Struck By Lightning.wav by Cheeseheadburger Remix 2 of 124721_Andy_Gardner_thunder1.flac by Timbre

This month we discuss issues 10 and 11, in which Magneto and Toad get abducted by aliens - and the X-Men aren't particularly bothered - and we see the first appearance of the Savage Land. Also, in current X-Men news, is Jean Grey shaping up to be the villain in All New X-Men? Can she resist just rearranging people's thoughts to suit her agenda? It doesn't look like it. Red Skull forces Captain American to confront modern America in Uncanny Avengers and it's pretty harsh, Emma and Scott talk through their relationship or lack thereof in Uncanny X-Men, and the world seems to have gone to hell in a handbasket in the first volume of Age of Ultron. Finally, our collection of issues 1 - 66 of the first X-Men run is still going strong and we just can't get enough of the Marvel NOW! variant edition Skottie Young covers!

Is this special 50th episode, the boys look ahead at their most anticipated games and gaming news of 2013. From games such as Tomb Raider and The Last of Us to the new PS4 and the next Xbox console. In the news · A new Assassins Creed game with a new protagonist coming · Downloadable games on Xbox Live have a record selling year · Grand Theft Auto 5 delayed · Bioware confirm gamers can expect another Mass Effect game but may not be called Mass Effect 4 · Wii U console and games sales disappoint and we talk about the general state of the Wii U

In this episode we talk about issues 8 (November 1964) and 9 (January 1965) in which the X-Men meet Unus the Untouchable and go toe-to-toe with the Avengers. Meanwhile, Professor X is off on a mission of personal revenge against Lucifer (WTF?), Beast loses his temper with humanity, and Iceman finally drops the snowman look for something a bit more slick. We whinge about greedy sods who buy up all the variant covers at the comic shop on release day and chat about the latest news from the various X-Men films currently in production.

Joined by uber-feedbacker Peter Hammerson regulars Matt and Kehaar review the series on Alternative History including: * Victorious Nazis in DC comics and Others * Kim Stanley Robinson & the Human Condition. * Red Son and other Superhero Alternatives * African Americans in the American War of Independence * Mary Seacroft, the Crimea, the teaching of history and lost alternatives * %@#! Sliders * Steampunk - it's a design aesthetic stupid! * American Civil War vs Quentin Tarantino * Elizabethan Alternates coming out of the fall of Rome * Technothrillers, Clive Cussler and The Scorpion. Links mentioned: * Jordon Harbour's "Twilight Histories" Podcast http://www.twilighthistories.com/about/ *The Ayn Rand filibuster: http://wiki.alternatehistory.com/doku.php/timelines/the_fountainhead_fillibuster_-_tales_from_objectivist_katanga * The Alternative History Weekly Update Blog http://alternatehistoryweeklyupdate.blogspot.co.uk/ Feedback welcome at [email protected] or @dissectingwrlds

Welcome to Episode 203 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. NewsSpin off Star Wars Films on the way Thunderbirds returns to the small screen Alan Moore's Heart of Ice comes to Gosh Comics Week that wasStar Trek: The Next Generation/ Doctor Who crossoverThe Following Space 1999: Aftershock and Awe Dan Bull: Gaming Rapper extraordinaire MainA brief look at the statements surround the suggested failure of a Justice League film before it's film and the tone of Man of Steel.

Welcome to Episode 202 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. NewsOld School UK show The Tomorrow People gets a New School Reboot by the CW Network V for Vendetta comes to the Sci Fi Weekender Congrats to Colin Morgan and his NTA JJ Abrams set to direct Star Wars VII Week that wasJustice League DoomThe Amazing SpidermanWalking Dead the Game MainWe give our thoughts on the cancellation of the Young Justice and Green Lantern animated shows and look at their replacements

Welcome to Episode 201 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. News Special 50th anniversary 2 hour Doctor Who Audio adventure on the way from Big Finnish. Alex Kingston joins Arrow. Pirates of the Caribbean has a new writer. Sci fi Weekender joins forces with Starburst. Pirates 5 gets a new writer. Week that was The Hobbit The Black Beetle 1 Primeval: New World Star Wars 1 Ip Man Fringe MainGS Mailbag

Welcome to episode 49 of The Next Level. In this post-Christmas show, the guys delve into the news and discuss potential new consoles - are we ready for the next generation and what do we make of the Nvidia Shield? Also check out our thoughts on Illumiroom. And do sequels kill innovation? What's next for Batman games? Do registered domains offer a clue? The main feature this month is a Game of the Year lookback at the best games of 2012, during which we discuss re-invigorated genres and game-lengths. Check out our winners and see if you agree!

Late? What do you mean, late? We've been here for ages, honest! (Okay, it's a fair cop - but better late than never, eh?) Once again the Geek Syndicate Network presents our annual array of panel games and silly banter. The First Lady of Scrolls starts things off with her version of Just A Minute, in which the contestants struggle to speak on a given topic without deviation, hesitation or repetition. Clover's subjects range from grumpy dragons to horny time-travellers, while the clock ticks ever downwards. You can practically hear the sweat. Next up is newcomer Tim Swann with Pointless, in which the contestants vie to find the most obscure but accurate answers. For folk unfamiliar with the quiz show, think Family Fortunes in reverse. Under the microscope are Firefly, Doctor Who, Star Trek and Star Wars. but what everybody really wants to know is how did Tim managed to split his brain in two? We follow up with chameleonic truths and outrageous lies as Dion chairs the classic game of Call My Bluff. Each contestant presents three definitions of a word or phrase related to film, tv, radio, book, comic, or game. Their opponents must ask them questions and try to work out the facts from the fibs. Technical difficulties hit us at this point, but we've preserved most of the show. Finally, Matt Farr (the otherwise genial Grampus) dons his alter-ego as Lord Alan Sidious, weeding out the wastrels in his sour-faced search for the next Sith Apprentice. The contestants each take on the role of a villain from anywhere in space and time, pitching their plans for domination to Lord Alan. Who will impress the Enterprising Emperor and who will be summarily executed? We lost Mr Ambler's game of Geeking Talk to gremlins, but two hours ought to be enough for you all. So, grab some nibbles, pop your party hat on and help us drain the last dregs of Christmas spirit as Dissecting Scrolls Solves Christmas! [Musical snatches come from Eddie Reader's album The Songs Of Robert Burns. I think she's fab. You should buy all her stuff.] Stay In Touch. You can follow most of the contestants on Twitter under the following monikers @thegrampus @Dion_Scrolls @Phlambler @tetrarchangel What do Points make? Prizes! Sadly, we have no faith in our scoring systems, so the decision is YOURS. Tell us who you think THE WINNER is. You have until the end of January to get your votes in as to who is the Overall Winner. For impartiality, e-mail [email protected] with the subject heading 'Dissecting Scrolls Champion.' Tell us who you think deserves the bragging rights, and why. A voter will be chosen at random to win a prize. Deadline is 11:59 GMT Jan 31st 2013.

Welcome to Episode 200 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. Pulp is the first film to premier on Xbox Live New Comic Festival - The Lakes International Comics Art Festival A new frankenstein tv show on the way XX the An all female X men book Week that was Superman vs The Elite Ripper Street Utopia The Sweeney Beauty and the beast Continuum Primeval Main Our TV heavy episode continues with a look at some of the shows that have been cancelled and a few that we're looking forward to seeing return and a few new shows.

This episode we take a look at X-Men issues 6 and 7 featuring the Sub-Mariner and the Blob respectively. Professor X refrains from douchebaggery in issue 6 but then makes up for it in issue 7 with a big announcement. Jean Grey finally gets in the kitchen where all good women in the '60s belonged and Scott brings his brooding melancholy to a whole new level. Meanwhile, Magneto showcases some really unique motivational and management techniques. We also have a couple of links for listeners below: Peter David's Blog http://www.peterdavid.net/2013/01/04/here-is-how-you-can-help-peter/ Previously in the Alpha Quadrant http://www.trekmate.org.uk/category/previously-in-the-alpha-quadrant/

Welcome to Episode 199 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. News Dad hires online gamers to kill his son online.Lego Super Heroes on the wayDel Toro tackles DC darker characters for the big screen Week that was Merlin (spoliers abound so be warned!)Vader and SonSpandexContinuumHawaii Five 0 We also answer a few questions from the GS Mail bag

Rolling a Double 6 you find yourself in a 10x10 corridor faced with a smug Yorkshire Lizardman & a louche sarcastic Scouse seagull. They offer you a podcast as part their Olympic specials mini-series, looking at games in Fantasy & Sci-Fi. They offer you such morsels as: * 3D chess & Gene Roddenberry's wish fulfilment * the Holodeck & its Roleplaying implications * Iain M Bank's Player of Games * Different Types of Gamers * the nature if game playing & protagonists Before moving on to consider lessons learnt during the mini-series Do you listen? YOU DECIDE! Feedback on the comments or @dissectingwrlds or [email protected] Kehaar's roleplaying material at clarkythecruel.wordpress.com & the roleplaying game pod here: http://clarkythecruel.wordpress.com/category/drakesdoom/feed/

Welcome to Episode 198 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. NewsKapow Comic Con is CancelledDoctor Who Movie NewsGame of Thrones was the Most Pirated Show of 2012 Week that was Crossed: Wish you were hereComebackHoax HuntersThe RiverBourne LegacyDoctor Who Christmas Special

Welcome to Episode 197 of Geek Syndicate. Join Barry and Dave as they once more guide you through the murky underbelly of Geekdom. NewsLeverage is cancelledAmazing Spider-Man 700 death threats Week that wasCaptain America #1GambitAll New X MenVeneziaMerlinlady sabre and the pirates of the ineffable ether MainA tribute to the late Gerry Anderson

Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-font-family:Cambria; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Cambria; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-ansi-language:EN-US;} Welcome to Episode 196 of Geek Syndicate! News DC Nation returns in January Spy hunter the film Comixoloy in the top ipad app list for 2012 You are the Hero - Fighting Fantasy Documentary hits Kickstarter Week that was Thief of Thieves Saga Solaris the Stage Show Main We take a few questions from the twittervese and look at the new Star Trek trailer.

So as the final series of Merlin draws to a close head writer and co-creator Julian Jones heads back to Geek Syndicate for one last chat about the show.

'A warrior does not give up what he loves. He finds the love in what he does.' Welcome back to Geek Syndicate (yes I know we were supposed to be finished but well there you go) and without any further ado onto episode 194! News Gail Simone is pulled off Batgirl by DC Tardis PC anyone? The Hawkeye Initiative The Saint Set to Return to TV Week that Was Batman Primeval: The New World The Man of Steel's new trailer Arrow Young Justice Main Seeing as the Geek Syndicate podcast started with a review of all six Star Wars films we figured now would be a good time to have a quick chat about the future of the Star Wars franchise under Disney.

This episode we’re changing things up a little and reviewing two issues at once, we’ll be discussing issues 4 (March 10, 1964) and 5 (May 10, 1964) in which the X-Men tackle Magneto and his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. These two issues feature loads of first appearances and also show us the infamous Asteroid M for the first time. Later we’ll have a chat about Marvel NOW and how we’re enjoying some of the new titles including All New X-Men! Finally, we’ll fill you in on where we’re at with our ongoing mission to collect all 66 of the first run issues.

This time Mr K. Seagull Esquire & Lord Grampus take to their skies in their tea-powered ornithopter to explore the lost continents of the steampunk genre. Grab your bowler hat, carpet bag & umbrella and brave the onslaught: * where's the science in steampunk? * Chappisim, situationism & subculture * Victoriana's Heart of Darkness * the green vegetables in pulp fiction * Retrotechnology and Tourism * Space 1889, Castle Falkenstein, the Difference Engine, Professor Elemental, Jules Verne, HG Wells, Shadows of the Apt & Bas Lang amongst others Tally Ho! Feedback to Kehaar @clarkythecruel or Matt @thegrampus or dictate a missive to your electronic secretary & send it to [email protected] Kehaar's roleplaying campaign podcast is here: http://clarkythecruel.wordpress.com/category/drakesdoom/feed/ and Matt's Movember page is here: http://mobro.co/mattfarr2