Let Me Know How It Is

Can you believe it's been 25 years since Superman: The Animated Series debuted on Kids WB?! Produced as a follow up to the incredibly popular Batman: The Animated Series, Superman shared many of the same creators and is just as definitive a take on the Man of Steel as its predecessor was for the Dark Knight. An impressive show and an important one in ushering in the beloved DC animated Universe aka ' the Timm Verse', come along as the panel celebrates 25 years of Superman: The Animated Series.

Last year, Disney Investor Day was an unexpected flood of new and exciting news for upcoming Star Wars, Marvel, and Animation projects coming over the next few years. This year, the event is renamed Disney Plus Day, and brings us even more new project announcements along with updates for some of the most anticipated shows and movies. Come along and join as the panel goes over all the news from Disney Plus Day 2021.

One of the little talked about, but fun aspects of a TV show or movie is the world that exists within that world. Some of our favorite characters have an affinity for TV, movies, and comics just like us. We're looking into some of the most memorable fictional creations that themselves reside within some of our favorite works of fiction. Join us as we celebrate the shows within shows and stories within stories our favorite characters love and celebrate.

There is a phenomenon in media where audiences are treated to characters who partake in less-than-savory actions and behavior. More than ever the phrase "no redeemable qualities what-so-ever" can apply to some of the most memorable figures in pop culture. Jerks, loveable losers, flawed anti-heroes, and down right D-bags. Saddle up, as the panel takes you through some of their favorite A-hole characters in pop culture.

It's Halloween time, and if we were going to ask you what you associate most with the season, horror movies might be one of the first things that pops to mind. Horror movies are big business and each year there are more and more of them. And that's not including the unintentional ones. We've all seen a movie or show that wasn't designed to be a horror story, but it definitely can feel like one as we're watching it. That's the narrow sub category we're tackling today: the scariest non-horror movies we can think of. Join us as we try and get in the Halloween spirit as we talk Misdiagnosed Horror.

Back in 2020 DC Comics started DC Fandome, a virtual convention showcasing their latest slate of comics, movies, animation, and TV news. Now here we are in 2021, and DC Fandome is back!.. with even many more trailers, previews, and huge announcements. We finally got a look at Flashpoint, Black Adam, and Peacemaker, and full trailer for The Batman. Join the panel as we share our takes and go through all the exciting news from DC Fandome 2021.

Characters can sometimes take on a life of their own. What starts as a clearly defined character identity or traits can over time grow into something else. Something much further from the original idea. The reasons for this occurring can be as varied as the number of characters in existence. For today, the panel discusses characters that started one way, but grew to become something else.

Globally, James Bond is one of the biggest franchises that there is. This week will see the release of the highly anticipated, latest James Bond film and the last to star Daniel Craig, No Time to Die. Created by author Ian Fleming in 1953 with his first Bond novel Casino Royale, and the character was quickly adapted to the screen in 1962. Since that time, everyone’s favorite super spy has graced the screen for almost 60 years and counting. Today the panel will celebrate the iconic character as they do a deep dive on the film series and also discuss their favorite details of the series.

Whether it's the best friend, the partner, the roommate, or even a tenuous temporary team up, pop culture is filled with examples of memorable duos. There is always something exciting about seeing characters who are opposites get into trouble and play off of one another. Duos are maybe one the the oldest (and perhaps most effective) tropes there is. It’s hard to imagine any moment throughout pop culture where a dynamic duo would be missing from storytelling. For this installment the panel looks at their favorite duos from across pop culture.

Certain entertainment mediums can actually lay claim to a specific day of the week. New comics has Wednesdays. Movie releases have Fridays. Football has Sundays. But in the case of cartoons, there was a glorious time when cartoons owned Saturdays. Saturday mornings to be exact. The only time when you wouldn't need an alarm clock or beg your folks for just give more minutes to get up. No, you just knew. Your eyes would spring open and you would perch yourself In front of the tube for a few hours and watch a block of cartoons all morning long. It was a magical time, and the panel is going to go over their memories of Saturday morning cartoons.

While many heroes you encounter in film, TV, and comics are one of kind, there are are plenty of occasions where you see a hero persona or identity that is occupied by multiple characters instead of just one. It could be a mantle handed down from one character to another (Robin). It could an a identity shared by many people at once (The Green Lanterns). Or, it could even be a sacred role that must be filled anew each generation (Avatar the Last Airbender and Korra). It is in any of these instances and more that the character becomes what is known as a legacy character. Even though these occurrences are occasional, there are many great examples of these characters throughout pop culture history. Join the panel as they discuss a personal favorite topic of theirs, legacy characters.

The world of comic books has been home to many influential creators, and maybe the biggest of them all is none other than Jacob Kurtzberg aka Jack Kirby. Kirby worked as an artist, writer, and sometimes editor, where he developed a style and narrative structure that would define the medium. With a career in comics than spanned more than five decades, Kirby touched and excelled at just about every genre imaginable in the pages of comics: Sci-fi, Horror, Crime, Westerns, War, Romance, and especially Superheroes. Kirby's impact can be felt now more than ever; responsible for the creation of virtually the entire Marvel Universe, Kirby's work can been seen more and more translated to live action films and TV where it is reaching its biggest audience yet. Today the panel celebrates "The King of Comics," Jack Kirby.

Often touted as the greatest movie never made, Citizen Kane opened this week 80 years ago. It was not a commercial success in it's initial release in 1941, but the Orson Welles classic is a tour-de-force of filmmaking that still resonates to this very day. Showcasing an innovative and complex narrative storytelling structure as well as new experimental filmmaking techniques that were cutting edge then and still remain impressive and even unconventional to this very day. Citizen Kane truly caught the world off-guard, and its effect can be felt even in modern movies today. Join us for our conversation about what makes Citizen Kane so Influential.

Summer is over and that means one thing: school starts up again! That's right, sorry kiddos, it's back to school season. Even though summer ending can be a drag, we here at Let Me Know How It Is wanted to remind you that going back to school definitely can have it's pluses. Inspired by this annual sojourn back to learning, the panel wanted to take a look at some of their favorite places for learning from pop culture. Join the conversation today as we look at some of our favorite schools from movies, TV, comics, and animation.

The very nature of animation production grants creators many avenues to create something imaginative, special, and unique, and Gendy Tartakovsky's Samurai Jack stands as a prime example of that. When Samurai Jack premiered on Cartoon Network in 2001 nothing had ever looked quite like it before, or for that matter, ever since. Jack is a genre-blending action show that takes cues from comic books, noir films, 70s TV/cinema, westerns, history, folklore, and many, many other inspirations, and it fuses them all into a cohesive world. Samurai Jack has always maintained a distinct visual style that simultaneously combines bombastic action with a huge emphasis on mood and atmosphere. All the while, the show never ever ignores comedy, charm, or a light heartedness that is just as much a hallmark of the show as its always thrilling fight scenes. So, join the panel as they go back, back to the past to celebrate 20 years of Samurai Jack!

One of our most anticipated films of 2021 is Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn’s first foray into the DC Universe, The Suicide Squad. A no holds barred romp featuring a motley assortment of some of the DCU’s most misfit crooks and criminals who are a thrown into a suicide mission to save the world. Starring Idris Elba, Viola Davis, John Cena, Michael Rooker, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Sean Gunn , Sylvester Stallone, and many more, joining returning cast members Viola Davis, Joel Kinnamen, and the always fantabulous Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, The Suicide Squad is full of colorful characters and James Gunn’s brand of laughs, heart, and explosive action. Join the panel as we share our thoughts on 2021’s The Suicide Squad.

35 years ago, children of the mid-1980s were enthralled by cartoons based around toy lines. They could be found everywhere on TV; weekday mornings, after school, and of course on Saturday mornings. That was Television only though, you didn’t see movies based around toy lines, that is until Transformers: The Movie was released. An actual animated movie released to theatres that showcased all of our favorite robots in disguise. It shocked and dazzled us all then and it arguably holds up remarkably well today. To celebrate 35 years since its release, the panel looks back at Transformers: The Movie.

🎵 It's the most wonderful time of the year. 🎵 No it's not Christmas time -- it's Comic Con!!!! (Kind of a Christmas in July, we suppose.) Just like last year, the good promoters and organizers are bringing San Diego Comic-Con to our living rooms - Comic-Con 2021 goes virtual! The panel is here reacting to all the exciting news, and announcements, trailers, and panels that came out of Comic-Con at Home Year Two! Come join the party!

Everyone loves a good mystery. A well crafted "Who Done It?" is among the most exciting kind of story to read or watch; and a huge part of those stories is the Detective, a focal character who learns all the plot details of the case as the audience does. A common practice for the mystery genre, is to take the audience through a brand new case, populated with a whole new slew of supporting players and the detective character acting as the only returning character. Often, over time, we get to peel the layers of these brilliant men and women of mystery and discover more about our favorite sleuths. Today the panel will list their favorite fictional detectives.

Everyone has heard the term "Hollywood Blockbuster." You have probably seen at least a few dozen by now, but what actually classifies a movie becoming a blockbuster? What is the history? What are some of the traits these films have in common? How has the landscape changed over the years? Finally the panel will make predictions on which upcoming films just might very well hit blockbuster status in the future.

During World War II, comic readers saw many characters address the conflict on the world stage head on. Creators on characters like Superman and Batman pivoted creatively to deal with the war effort in addition to other characters of The Golden Age, including a whole slew of new characters. Among these brand new creations, none was more successful than Captain America. Interestingly, for a character anchored so much in the time period of his creation, Captain America's popularity is one of the most enduring in all of comics. He is certainly one of Marvel's most loved characters, and Chris Evans' portrayal of the character in the MCU has only added to the character’s exposure. It's been 80 years since his creation, and Captain America is still as relevant today as he was in the 1940s. For Cap's 80th year, and just in time for the 4th of July, the panel will celebrate Captain America. Also stay tuned to the closing segment for our look back at Captain America: The First Avenger as we approach the 10th anniversary of the film's release.

Back in the mid 1990s there was a bizarre and shocking moment in comic book history where a swap of two characters between the Big Two comic book companies almost took place. Marvel Comics and DC Comics had in the works a deal that would see one character from each company go on loan to the other company for a period of one year. First, our panel will dive into the details of this surprising plan that almost happened. And then, using it as jumping off point, our panel members will daydream and discuss what other crazy cross-company swaps they would love to see.

There are certain movies that are remembered as being crucially important signifiers to Hollywood that comic books could be profitable subject matter; 1979’s Superman, 1989’s Batman, 1998’s Blade, X-Men from 2000 and Spider-Man from 2002 all played a part in building the modern superhero movie. One maybe not remembered enough however is 1991’s The Rocketeer; one of the earliest comic adaptations to film, and still possibly one of the most faithful translations of comic to movie we have seen to date. An actioner in the spirit of the same movie serials that inspired the creation of Indiana Jones, The Rocketeer is an epically, fun adventure movie that stood out then and continues to stand out today. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the panel spotlights the 1991 film The Rocketeer.

Pop culture is filled with notable fathers and father figures. From Star Wars to The Simpsons, dad's play an important part in the development of our lead characters. They can act as an influence towards positive growth, but sometimes through the sins of the father, they can also present some internal obstacles for our protagonists to face and overcome. In honor of Father’s Day (this coming Sunday in the United States) we’re looking at fathers in media and the effect they have on their children.

We are currently living in the Golden Age of Superhero movies. It’s hard to remember the fact that superhero movies were far less prevalent than they are today; and back then when one was made, usually there were all kinds of changes where the finished product didn’t always resemble the comics we read. One aspect that has changed drastically in the years since is the look of superhero movies. There is a much bigger emphasis now on making the aesthetics more closely match the comics, and a big part of that is the costumes. No longer are we getting only the leather jumpsuits that were a favorite design choice in the 90s. The costumes now are showcased with all the bright colors and other aspects drawn straight from the pages of the comics. Today, the panel discusses what happens, good and bad, when superhero costumes get adapted to live action.

The Definitive Five returns! There are occasions where you might find a single character appear in films, tv, comics, animation, and video games, and you might also find that there are often significant differences between the different versions. Sometimes the changes are welcome and well-regarded while other times not as much. Frank has assembled another list of characters that have appeared across multiple forms of media, and the panel will decide which of the five formats is home to the definitive take of that character.

Adult Swim has produced many cult-favorite animated shows, and high among them is The Venture Bros. An action-comedy about a failed scientist, his two dim-witted boys, their bodyguard and the globe-trotting adventures they go on. What once started as a fun, spoof of Jonny Quest, has grown into a beloved animated series that really has left a unique print on the world of cartoons with it's lush world building and hilarious pop-culture references. Today the panel Spotlights, a beloved favorite of theirs, The Venture Bros. “Go Team Venture!!!”

Chances are, somewhere, in your media viewing past, you have encountered a flashback. Be it in a comic book, tv show or movie; what was once a tool in the storytellers toolbox, flashbacks have now become so incredibly common place in media. Sometimes this trope can be gimmicky and overused, but sometimes they can illuminate crucial points in a characters past. Hop in the way-back machine and buckle in as the panel takes a deep look at Flashbacks.

If you have ever stepped foot into a comic book shop, chances are you were lucky enough have overheard or partook in some colorful comic shop conversation. Banter that typically centers on dream battles that pit characters of similar power sets against each other, exercises in logic, or even philosophical debate. In some cases these conversations can venture into the downright absurd, but they are always lively and they are always a blast. For today the panel partakes in some popular stereotypical banter overheard in comic shops.

"Bottle Episode" is a loose term that describes a notable style of episode in Television. Stories that are set in one location or the famed “clip show” are two examples of the kinds of bottle episodes fans will see. But, bottle stories don't exist solely in Television; comics and animation have had fun trying to recreate the feel of a bottle episode in their mediums, and as audiences have become more aware of the concept, there is a lot of fun to be had when creators start to get, well, creative with the idea and find new ways to play with the trope. Pull up a chair and enjoy as the panel discusses the concept of Bottle episodes.

Every franchise out there is looking for a way to bring more eyeballs to their product and maybe the easiest way to create interest by fans is to bring two franchises together for a crossover that combines the best of multiple worlds. Franchise crossovers, despite seemingly being done more and more, still have the aura of something rare. That this event is something fleeting. You’re seeing these two characters together for this story, and that's it. After this, fans won’t see it again. The panel is taking a look at some of their favorite franchise mash-ups and intercompany crossovers from movies, TV, video games, and comics books.

For every one of the numerous animated classics that have been released over the years, there are countless animated ideas that never come into fruition. It's amazing to think of how many would-be-classics might have happened if development had continued on so many projects. In a follow up to last week’s How Did This Get Made?! – Animation Edition, the panel is discussing some fascinating animated projects that never quite came to be.

Generally speaking, in animation, if you can dream it and draw it, you can make it. Cartoons have so many examples of unexpected, daring creative ideas that become classics. Sometimes, however, an occasional cartoon comes along that can be a bit of a head-scratcher. Maybe it is based on something that doesn’t have a clear cut story, or it is adapted from a property that in hindsight might not be the most kid-friendly. The panel has assembled a list of cartoons, that might make one wonder, “how did that ever get made in the first place?”

Each year, literally hundreds of movies are released in the United States, and any one of them has the potential to become a favorite for movie lovers, and perhaps even one day come to be considered a bona fide classic. With so many movies being produced each year, every so often you just get a particularly good year of movies. And some years the slate of movies lines up in a way that an abundance of great films emerge from their release year to join the timeless ranks of classic films. So which year had the most? The panel selected three movie years with personal and pop cultural significance: 1984, 1989, and 1999. And they will discuss which of those they believe was the best movie year.

It's time for Part 3, and the exciting conclusion of Sitcom Madness is here! In our second edition of the Let Me Know How It Is March Madness style tournament, we will collectively crown our favorite sitcom of all time! We are down to the final three rounds in this episode, and the time has come to crown the ultimate winner. Here it is, according to us, the best sitcom of all time!

Sitcom Madness Part 2! In our second edition of the Let Me Know How It Is March Madness style tournament, we will collectively crown our favorite sitcom of all time! The tournament started with 64 of the best sitcoms ever. Now we’ve narrowed it to 32, and we’ll continue to eliminate until only one survives as the best sitcom of all time! See what shows makes it past the sweet 16!

It’s March, and that means one thing: March Madness! In our second edition of the Let Me Know How It Is March Madness style tournament, we will collectively crown our favorite sitcom of all time! The panel will match up 64 of their favorite sitcoms throughout the ages until there is only one Sitcom Champion remaining. This is Part One and showcases all of the first round matchups. Stay tuned for the second and third parts over the next couple of weeks.

The world of Superheroes is made so much stronger by the supporting cast they host, and the world of Superman is no different. Appearing in literally thousands of stories across comic books, radio, TV, and film, Superman has been one of the most dominant pop culture properties since his creation in 1938. And yet, despite the iconic nature of the character, it’s hard to imagine what a Superman story would be without the people at the Daily Planet or without the villains that threaten the values of truth and justice that Superman defends and holds dear. The panel will examine some key characters from the Superman mythos: Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Jimmy Olson, and the Kents and decide, who is most important to the world of Superman.

The archetype of the hero can come in many different forms, but a common one is the troupe where a character is deemed the Chosen one. The idea of the “Chosen One” is most typically found in fantasy fiction; usually a character that is destined for greatness. Destined to be the heroic savior who will one day return the world back to a more peaceful state. In this episode, the panel will examine the idea of Chosen One characters to find commonalities and deconstruct when they work, when they don’t, and what they enjoy about this trope in media.

Often there can be variations for characters depending on which form of media you encounter them in. Sometimes the differences in these variations can be slight, while other times they can, of course, be very big. The panel will look at a list of characters prepared by Frank, and each person will decide if the definitive version for them can be found in either comics, movies, TV, animation, or in video games. Some of the panel's choices are actually quite surprising.

Dwayne McDuffie is one of the most important creators in the modern era of comics. Probably best known, and most importantly, as the co-founder and one of the architects of Milestone Media, a comic book company focused on better representing minorities in comics. There he would create or co-create titles such as Static, Icon, Blood Syndicate, and Hardware. Elsewhere, his work includes seminal runs on Fantastic Four, Deathlok, Firestorm and creator of the abundantly clever Marvel Comics series Damage Control. In addition to his work in comics McDuffie was a prolific writer, story editor, and producer of fantastic animated programming including Ben 10 Alien Force, Static Shock, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited. The panel is honored to shine the spotlight on the one and only Dwayne McDuffie.

Romantic subplots drive so much story in western media. In fact, romantic subplots might be the single most common trait among all genres of storytelling in all forms of media. Love is always going to be part of the action, whether it's comics, tv, or film. As in real life, in the fictional world, some couples work better together than others. With so many examples of popular couples in the media, the panel will examine which romantic relationships work best and which don't.

If you’ve read comics for any length of time, chances are you have heard the phrase Golden Age or Silver Age. These phrases can apply to any medium, but in comics they are very specific eras; the one thing they all have in common is they involve superheroes, and each age saw the debut of countless new character additions to comics. Today the panel takes a look at each of the separate ages of comics and the heroes that came during that period.

Today, there is a trend of some half-dozen comic book movies released each year, and it doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. What it indicates is that right now we truly are in the golden age of comics being adapted into movies. Many of these films are quality movies, but the thing with some comic movies is that sometimes they aren’t always up to par compared to their source material or even other contemporary comic book films. But, even if some movies are not the greatest as a whole, there can still be moments of brilliance in them. That’s what the panel focuses on today, the best aspects or moments from some so-so comic book movies.

Sometimes when watching a movie or show, the story that’s told just isn’t enough. Even after the credits roll, sometimes the audience wants more. Sequels and prequels are not the only ways though. More can come in other forms. That's where spin offs come in; a way to pursue and explore other stories in the same world, but through a new lens -- a different point of view. Today, the panel is going to explore spin offs and the many shapes and sizes they can take.

This week marks one full year since the launch of Let Me Know How It Is! To mark this occasion, we will be revisiting our very first topic! In our first episode, Frank, Tommy, Clifton, and Zack listed some of their favorite single issues from all of comics, but with so many left to choose from, they've decided to dig through their longboxes to pull out a few more of their favorites to discuss and recommend.

2020‌ ‌didn't‌ ‌go‌ ‌as‌ ‌planned‌ ‌for‌ ‌anyone.‌ ‌With‌ ‌many‌ ‌movies‌ ‌and‌ ‌TV‌ ‌releases‌ ‌being‌ ‌pushed‌ ‌back,‌ ‌2021,‌ ‌as‌ ‌a‌ ‌result,‌ ‌we will‌ ‌likely‌ ‌see‌ ‌roughly‌ ‌two‌ ‌years‌ ‌worth‌ ‌of‌ ‌content‌ ‌released.‌ ‌Needless‌ ‌to‌ ‌say‌ ‌an‌ ‌enormous‌ ‌amount‌ ‌of‌ ‌content‌ ‌is‌ ‌on‌ ‌the‌ ‌way this year.‌ ‌For‌ ‌Part‌ ‌2‌ ‌of‌ ‌our‌ ‌Giant‌ -Size‌ ‌Year-End‌ ‌Annual,‌ ‌Frank,‌ ‌Tommy,‌ ‌Clifton,‌ ‌and‌ ‌Zack‌ ‌will‌ ‌go‌ ‌through‌ ‌and‌ ‌share‌ ‌what‌ ‌they're‌ ‌most‌ ‌excited‌ ‌to‌ ‌see‌ ‌in‌ ‌2021.‌

Last year Let Me Know How It Is ended the year with a Two-Part Giant Sized Year End Annual where we reflected on the things we had watched throughout the year and then looked ahead to the coming new year. This year will be no different. For Part One, the panel takes a look back at the standout TV, movies, and comics they really enjoyed from 2020. Be sure to check out Part 2 next week where we look ahead to 2021!

Tis the season to be Jolly! Not to mention this is also the season for Christmas TV Specials and holiday-themed episodes from some of your favorite shows! Come celebrate the spirit of the season with the panel as they discuss some of their favorite Christmas episodes of all time. Fa la-la-la-la-la La-la-la-la!

Disney Investor Day was held on December 10th, 2020, and surprisingly they announced a massive slate of new projects to be released over the next few years. These exciting, and numerous, new projects from Star Wars, Pixar, Disney Animation, and of course Marvel Studios will be dropping on streaming services, such as Disney+ and Hulu, or in Theatres in the coming years. Come along with the panel as they react to all the news from Disney Investor Day!