Let Me Know How It Is

Batman Beyond is one of the most beloved animated superhero shows of all time. The series' straight-to-video companion movie Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker sent shockwaves through the fans of the show and of its preceding Batman the Animated series. DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. release three straight-to-video, super hero features each year, and even after all this time Return of the Joker still remains at the very top of many fans list of favorites. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the panel looks back at Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

The MCU, Star Wars, Pokémon; all are examples of properties that we would never have predicted how popular they would ultimately become when they first started. Believe it or not, another example of that is Hallmark movies. Hallmark made-for-tv movies have grown to become very popular throughout the year, but especially for the holiday season. Each year, the number of Holiday movies they produce seems to jump. They're fun, light, and easy to watch. Join us as we take a holiday season inspired detour all the way to Christmastown, where Clifton and Zack attempt to explain what their obsession with Hallmark Christmas movies is all about to Tommy and Frank.

We’re huge fans of animation of all kinds here at Let Me Know How It Is, and as such, we like to spread the joy of the art form around a little bit. In this episode, Clifton, Tommy, Frank, and Zack will share their favorite current (or recently concluded) animation on the air. So if you are looking for some good, quality animated shows to watch, we've got a lot of recommendations for you!

One indicator of a pop culture property's success is the amount of merchandise that goes a long with it: toys, children's books, school supplies, even bed sheets and beach towels are all relatively common. But in some ways, the true tell of a property's popularity is whether or not it has been licensed for a snack food. It doesn't happen for everything, but it does happen, and maybe more than you think. Today the panel discusses their favorite pop culture junk foods from over the years.

In addition to being massively successful summer blockbusters, the movies of the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) also garner a very passionate fan-following of both children and adults who tune in thanks to a continuously developing overarching story. Many people have their favorite movies or favorite characters within the MCU, but today the panel goes one further; we’re combing through the entire MCU thus far to share our favorite moments in the MCU from Iron Man through Spider-Man: Far From Home.

Today, kids movies tend to be thought of as Pixar, talking animal cartoons, or even the marvel films to some extent. The live-action kids movie was something that was quite commonly produced during the 1990s however, and one of the most popular and most successful of its kind was Home Alone. Not only has the film's popularity maintained over the years, but something interesting has happened; over time, the film has grown to become a beloved holiday classic as well. To celebrate the film's 30th Anniversary, the panel takes a look back and relieves the heart, humor, and high jinks of Home Alone.

Robert Kirkman is probably best known for his post-apocalyptic zombie drama The Walking Dead. What may be new to some fans is that along with artist Cory Walker, he's also created Invincible; which is their modern take on a more traditional superhero. Just as engaging and just as adored by fans as The Walking Dead. Amazon Studios is launching Invincible as an animated series and the panel gives their thoughts on the very first trailer. Invincible is set to premiere in 2021.

Comics books, movies, TV, and the rest of pop culture are filled with wonderful heroes; but they are also filled with wonderful villains with which the heroes can match wits. There are many different ways you can categorize bad guys, but one could be this way: doppelgangers vs originals. Doppelgangers are the evil version of the hero, the inverse, the dark negative. Originals have their own story, their own gimmick. Often they have just a cool hook or an aspect that plays well against the hero. But which is better? The panel takes a good look at both to see which version creates a better story, and by extension, makes the hero better.

Trick-or-treating and dressing up as a favorite creature or character are beloved Halloween traditions, as well as, for many, sitting down in a darkened theater, or living room, and watching something spooky to experience some thrills and chills. Everyone has some fictional frights that they remember well, but when you're young, some of those scares can often come from unexpected places, and the chills can linger quite a long time. In the spirit of Halloween the gang is reaching back and reliving some of their earliest frights they can remember from movies and TV when they were kids. Many of which still haunt them to this very day.

Animaniacs was a cartoon that debuted in the mid-1990s and is fondly remembered by fans to this day. So much so that Hulu saw an opportunity and in the Fall of 2020 the streaming service will debut its relaunch of the beloved animated series to fans young and old. With less than a month until the premiere, Hulu and Warner Bros. animation have released their first clip of the returning series and our panel gives their initial reactions. Animaniacs will premiere on Hulu November 20th, 2020.

Typically whenever a television show is canceled, we tend to think that's the end for it, but more and more we see that isn’t necessarily the case. It isn’t uncommon for a show to have a semblance of a second life as a movie. This usually comes in two varieties: sometimes a show just gets a reimagined adaptation as a movie, and other times we see a show get a movie to tie up some loose ends left behind from the series or to just continue the adventures. What is it like seeing something that works so well in its original form as a tv series transition and transform itself into a film? The panel looks at tv shows that become movies. Episode Notes, examples, and links to things we discuss in this episode can be found at our show's website, LetMeKnowHowItIs.com. Follow us on Twitter @LMKHII Email us your thoughts and suggestions for anything you would like to hear us talk about on the show at [email protected] Music: Arpy – Dan Henig --- Support by RFM – NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

Batman is unquestionably one of the most popular characters in the entire DC Universe, if not THE most popular. Ever since his creation in 1939, the character has maintained continued, uninterrupted publication, a rare occurrence in comics especially for a character over 80 years old. His enduring success has even spread beyond comics with multiple television and animation appearances and eight major hollywood films with a ninth currently in production to be released in 2022, but is there such a thing as too much Batman? Would DC be wise to tone the exposure down for Batman? What would be the effect? The panel debates whether or we've reached peak Bat-ness. Episode Notes, examples, and links to things we discuss in this episode can be found at our show's website, LetMeKnowHowItIs.com. Follow us on Twitter @LMKHII Email us your thoughts and suggestions for anything you would like to hear us talk about on the show at [email protected] Music: Arpy – Dan Henig --- Support by RFM – NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

Everybody has a spot they frequent. A place you can go to meet with friends and chat, hang out, and plan your next hilarious scheme. Well, maybe not the scheming part, but that's the way it works in TV and movies. Fictional characters often have a regular spot; a coffee shop, a restaurant, maybe a watering hole. Whatever it may be, it provides a nice change of pace to the scenery to mix up the surroundings a little bit; but what if these places existed in the real world? Which places would you like to hang out in? That's precisely what the panel discusses today, their favorite fictional hang outs from media that they would choose to be their spot. Episode Notes, examples, and links to things we discuss in this episode can be found at our show's website, LetMeKnowHowItIs.com. Follow us on Twitter @LMKHII Email us your thoughts and suggestions for anything you would like to hear us talk about on the show at [email protected] Music: Arpy – Dan Henig --- Support by RFM – NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

Decades ago only a rare few comic characters grew to become household names. Over the last few years, however, many more characters have grown to become favorites of fans. With the help of film and tv, more comic characters than ever have grown to become beloved pillars of pop culture, but we've still only scratched the surface. Comic books are still bursting with characters that the general public at large has yet to hear about. Afterall, not everyone can be a Spider-Man, a Wolverine, or a Batman. Today the panel discusses their favorite lesser known super heroes and villains from the world of comics. Episode Notes, examples, and links to things we talk about here can be found at our show's website, LetMeKnowHowItIs.com. Follow us on Twitter @LMKHII Send us your thoughts and suggestions for anything you would like to hear us talk about on the show at [email protected] Music: Arpy – Dan Henig --- Support by RFM – NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

Few names in American cinema carry the cache of Joel and Ethan Coen: the Coen Brothers. Over their careers, they have produced critically acclaimed film after critically acclaimed film. Upon viewing their films, their genius is quite apparent, even when you look at their earliest works. Miller's Crossing, their third feature, is a masterfully made film. It shows cases phenomenal performances, a script chalk full of twists and turns, and a story that pays homage to one of the most beloved genres from Hollywood's golden age, film noir. Celebrating 30 years since its release, today the panel spotlights one of their personal favorites, Miller's Crossing. Episode Notes, examples, and links to things we talk about here can be found at LetMeKnowHowItIs.com. Follow us on Twitter @LMKHII Send us your thoughts and suggestions for anything you would like to hear us talk about at [email protected] Music: Arpy – Dan Henig Support by RFM – NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

Day two of DC FanDome is here! The interactive fan experience that showcases all the exciting projects in comics, TV, and animation that are coming soon from DC Entertainment. Day one brought some exciting news and a few big surprises, so the panel is excited to see what is in store for day two! Come on and join the party as the panel gives their reactions to everything from DC FanDome day two!

For as long as there have been stories, storytellers have tried to surprise audiences with what will happen in their tales. Shock Value is a weapon in the storyteller's tool kit to keep audiences guessing and to ensure the is story unpredictable. Being surprised by a twist or development they couldn't anticipate can be some of the most gratifying moments an audience member can experience. The flip side however, is sometimes the motivation to shock viewers can backfire -- it can go too far and alienate the audience. There's a balance storytellers have to strike, but they're always coming from a desire to create a memorable moment for the audience. Join the panel, as they give their thoughts on shock value.

On October 13th will see the release of Batman: Death in the Family, the new interactive film produced by DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation. Brandon Vietti (Young Justice) has written and directed the "choose your own adventure" style film that is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Jim Starlin and Jim Aparo. A perfect companion piece to one of the panel's personal favorite animated movies, Batman: Under the Red Hood. The panel reviews the trailer and discusses their thoughts on Batman: Death in the Family.

Popular media is full of stories that give audiences a glimpse into what the future might possibly hold in store for their beloved characters. And other times they show what the characters' lives might have been like, in alternate dimensions, if things had been different in their current worlds. One of the reasons these speculative stories are everywhere is because of the freedom they grant creators. There is a lot to be said for the new avenues such stories can open creatively. We get to see the characters after having been through many different scenarios where they come out either built up or broken down by the choices they make. It's often a way of altering the status quo without creating lasting change for the world. Also, these stories are immensely popular; which might explain their prevalence in pop culture. Today, the panel explores their favorite speculative future tales and alternate reality stories in all of pop culture.

Virtual conventions are all the rage right now. In that spirit, DC Comics has launched DC FanDome, an interactive fan experience that will showcase all the exciting projects in-development and soon to come over at DC Entertainment. The panel sits back and combs the web for all the exciting news that is coming from Day one of DC FanDome! Come on and join the party as we discuss all things DC!

#My5XMen was trending recently on social media, and it presented an interesting exercise: build your dream team X-Men roster with only five members. How do you decide? Do you pick your five favorites? Do you match up characters that don't interact often? Maybe you build off of personalities and history for what creates the best team drama. There are so many ways to approach it. In our first Let Me Know How It Is Shorty, the panel lists their 5 X-Men teams.

It's time for another Watch Challenge: where one member of our panel challenges another member to watch a selection of episodes from a show that the challenger thinks the other person would become a fan of if only they would give it a chance. This time around, Frank issued the challenge and chose five episodes of Rick and Morty for Zack to watch. And in return, Frank would agreed to watch five episodes of Zack's choosing of Cowboy Bebop. The episodes were viewed and the entire panel will review them and see who, or if anyone, has come around and become a fan of the other's show.

“Based on the Graphic Novel” are common words to see in the credits of movies these days. Comic books have become an invaluable source of inspiration for many Hollywood movies, but comics extend beyond the commonly associated superheroes. Every once in a while an indie comic makes the jump to the big screen where our hero is one that doesn’t wear a cape. Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is a perfect example of a memorable film that came from an indie comic. It’s a heartfelt exploration of love and relationships in your 20s while also being a fast, funny, and over-the-top loveletter to video games. To celebrate its 10 year anniversary, the panel spotlights Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.

The demographics for super hero comic book readers are as wide and varied as the many super powers audiences will find in the adventures inside. Exclusivity has been a part of comics since the beginning. For too long there have been little attempts for the heroes inside comics to resemble the readership outside of comics. Until recently that is. Over the years there has been great emphasis on diversifying the types of characters you'll see in comics to include more races, nationalities, and religions so that the characters inside better reflect the real world we all see. Representation in super hero comics tries to make the experience of reading as inclusive as possible by showing characters that reflect the diversity of the world outside. The panel explores this important topic while showcasing some of the characters and stories they believe best exemplify this more inclusive shift in the medium.

With San Diego Comic-Con going virtual for 2020, we thought it would be fun to do a reaction show for all the exciting news, and announcements that came out of Comic-Con at Home. Come have a seat and join the party as the panel sits back and surfs the net for anything and everything from this year's San Diego Comic-Con aka Comic-Con@Home.

In the world of superhero storytelling, the villain is crucially important. While providing the hero with something to fight against they also offer a countering point-of-view to contrast against the good-natured purity of the hero. Over the years though, audiences have gotten a glimpse into the mindset of the bad guy as villains' motivations and philosophies have been explored. In some cases the audience can discover that the bad guy might not actually be all that bad. This can sometimes be the first signal for the villain to make the jump from bad guy to good guy. For today’s episode, the panel looks at when bad guys go good.

One of the most exciting things for comics fans is seeing their favorite characters come to life on the big or small screen. From time to time however, fans are sometimes treated to a version of the character that doesn't resemble their comic book counterparts. That can be a good thing or a bad thing depending. Sometimes a change can be a welcome addition and can add a new dimension to their personality that wasn't there previously. While other times a change can mischaracterize a beloved property in the eyes of fans. In this episode, the panel will discuss some of their favorite examples where change was welcome and ones that missed the mark.

All good things must come to an end, but do they have to come to an end so soon? The comic industry is full of stories of a fan-favorite series coming to an abrupt end, for a multitude of reasons. You can't please everyone, but what if you could bring back your favorite defunct comic series for just one more issue? Perhaps you want to get some closure you feel you might not have gotten before. Or maybe you would just like to revisit some familiar faces one last time. So, which comic book series would you choose for one more issue? The panel will each list off their top three series choices.

Timely. Atlas. These are some of the names for the comic book company that would one day eventually become known as Marvel Comics: home to such beloved characters as Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Thor, and the X-Men. It was with the creation of Fantastic Four that creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby laid the foundation for the Marvel Universe, and still decades later, after secret wars, annihilations, contests of champions, and secret invasions, fans are still just as invested as they were back in 1961 when it all began. The panel will go deep into why they adore the Marvel Universe.

In 1938 Action Comics #1 debuted on comic stands and introduced the world to Superman. It was on that day, in a sense, that the DC Universe was born. The same universe that would become home to later creations like Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern and many others. Over the course of 82 years, readers have been enthralled by the silver age, the inclusion of the Charlton library of characters, crises, zero hours, and deaths and returns of fallen heroes. It is in that spirit that the panel delves into why they are in love with the DC Universe.

Now, audiences can find any number of superhero movies released per year, but before their relatively recent boom in theatres, superhero movies were a rare occurrence. Often, a sort of quasi-superhero movie would come around, but instead of showcasing a popular comic book property they would focus on characters that originated in pulp magazines or newspaper comic strips. That's exactly the climate in which the film Dick Tracy was produced. Supremely popular in its day, but often a forgotten precursor to the modern comic book feature. Warren Beatty directs and stars as the beloved yellow-trench-coat-clad detective who always got his man. To celebrate the film's 30th Anniversary the panel takes a look back at the 1990 movie, Dick Tracy.

That is the question. There are many ways to categorize types of storytelling, but one way is serialized versus episodic. One strings together multiple installments to tell a larger tale where the other utilizes a single installment to tell a single story, sometimes called a one and done. Both can create for an immensely satisfying experience but both also have advantages and disadvantages and of course the panel has opinions about which they prefer, serialized or episodic stories.

Disco. Westerns. There are many examples of things that were once popular that have since died out. The question is, are we in the middle of one of those scenarios as we speak? Thanks to their incredible success at the box-office, today superheroes are as popular as they have ever been. Whether its kids or adults, women or men, everyone seems to enjoy stories of a mild-mannered somebody learning that great responsibility comes along with the great powers. But is it possible that the day will come for the popular concept of superheroes to end? Might we see its prevalence be replaced by something new? The panel takes a look at whether or not the superhero is sustainable.

How many times have you read a comic or watched a show and encountered something that made you think, ”this is such a great idea, why don’t they do more with this?" What properties exist out there that could be huge if only given the opportunity? Every fanboy and fangirl has their list of movies or shows they would like to see made about some property they love that just can’t seem to make the jump into another media. In this episode, the panel opens up about which properties they think have unmined potential.

Darwyn Cooke is an Eisner and Harvey award winning comic creator. Probably best known for his seminal 2006 love letter to the DC silver age The New Frontier, his resume as both a writer and an artist consists also of memorable tales on a who’s who of classic characters in the industry such as Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, Jonah Hex, The Spirit, and an enduring stint on Catwoman where he introduced a brand new look for the infamous cat-burglar that has now become an enduring classic look for the character. His graphic novel adaptations of novelist Richard Stark’s illustrious Parker series easily stand out as a shining example of the evolution of storytelling within the medium of comics. It is with great joy that the panel takes a look back at the illustrious career of Darwyn Cooke.

Superheroes are not just found in comics, they're in all of our media these days. They are in the movies, on tv, and in animation. But, sometimes we forget that before they came to be done so superbly well there, they could be found in the video game arcades and home consoles of yore. The panel takes a stroll down memory lane as they look back at their favorite superhero video games.

All good stories have a beginning, middle, and an end, but sometimes there's more after the screen turns black and the lights come up. What happens after the good guy rides off into the sunset? What happens after the couple says I do? Hence Movie Sequels. A chance for the audience to get to see our favorite characters again and watch them develop and grow while having new adventures. For this episode, the panel examines the different forms a movie sequel can take.

Darth Vader is [CLASSIFIED]! Rosebud is [REDACTED]? Spoilers are all over the place and you can accidentally stumble upon one anywhere. For this episode, the panel discusses Spoiler Etiquette, and how we can make endings safe for everyone who still likes to be surprised.

Tommy issued the challenge. He would choose five episodes of Justice League Action for Zack to watch and in return he would watch five episodes of Ducktales from Zack's choosing. The episodes were selected, the entire panel has viewed them, and now it's time to see who has come around to becoming a fan of the other show.

Saved by the Bell was a mega popular teen comedy show that ran for four seasons on NBC in the 90s. The show followed Zack, Kelly, Jessie, Slater, Lisa and of course Screech as they navigated love, relationships, teachers, parents, and homework. The characters were all modeled off of teen archetypes and were brought to life by incredibly charismatic performers. A fun, wholesome show that undeniably became part of the zeitgeist of the time. We’re so excited! We’re so excited to take a look back at Saved by the Bell! Don't be scared.

Very few concepts in comics have been as revolutionary as the introduction of the teenage superhero. Their introduction has opened the door to many new creative opportunities for tension and drama. On the cusp of a marvel event focusing on their stable of young heroes, the panel unpacks the idea of the teenage hero to try and understand just what makes it so darn successful.

Creating something that maintains its relevance for 80 years is a remarkable achievement, and this year three enduring characters will reach that milestone. The Joker, Catwoman, and Robin: three characters that have pierced the zeitgeist of the pop culture outside of comics and three characters deeply important to the world of Batman -- but which of these three is the most important? The panel tries to parse through almost 100 years of story to find the answer.

The exciting conclusion of Animation Madness is here! The panel thought it would be fun to introduce their own style of March Madness with a tournament to crown their favorite cartoon series of all time. We started with 64 and now we've made it down to the Elite 8! Tune in to part three to find out which show gets crowned the winner! Be sure to listen to Part One and Part Two first, if you haven't already.

Animation Madness Continues! The panel thought it would be fun to introduce their own style of March Madness this year with a tournament to crown their favorite animated show of all time. What started as 64 great cartoons has now been painfully whittled down to 32. This is Part Two (of three) and showcases The Round of 32 followed by the Sweet 16! Listen and find out which of your favorites survives to move on! Be sure to listen to Part One first, if you haven't already.

The panel thought it would be fun to introduce their own style of March Madness this year with a tournament to crown their favorite animated show of all time. The panel will match up 64 of the best cartoon series out there as they comb through each matchup until only one victor is left standing. This is Part One (of three) and showcases all of the first round matchups.

The Comic Cover: The very first thing we see on the shelves. So often it can be the deciding factor in whether we pick up that issue or not. But what is it about them that pulls us in? What is it that entices us, excites us, turns us off, or makes us not notice it in the first place? The panel goes in deep discussing the role of the comic book cover in the past and present. To see a gallery of many of the covers we discuss in this episode, please visit the page for this episode at our website.

J.M. DeMatteis has had an extensive career as a writer in comics, tv, and animation. Best known for his legendary run on Justice League International with collaborators Keith Giffen and Kevin Maguire, as well as the seminal Spider-Man story Kraven’s Last Hunt with Mike Zeck. We talk to him about some of his latest, exciting animation projects including the Warner Brothers produced Animated Film Superman: Red Son, which will be released on Blu-Ray March 17th.

What defines a hero? Is it their power set? Is it their origin story? One can argue that the people that they surround themselves with play an important part. The panel takes a look at supporting casts and why they are so essential to fleshing out the world of a hero.

The advent of the trade paperback or graphic novel collection created a huge shift in the comic business. It was an easier way to attract new readers through these easily packaged collected editions rather than overwhelm them with the daunting numbering system of individual issues. But has the graphic novel collection affected the comic business in more ways than just sales? The panel examines the possible upsides and downsides to the graphic novel or trade paperback collection?

When a franchise reboots, it's often a polarizing subject among fans. Sometimes the reset button is pushed well before a franchise has explored every avenue and fully run its course. While other times, starting with a clean slate can be a way of injecting some much needed new energy into a franchise. Our panel discusses the subject of reboots and tries to uncover just how necessary a tool they are for creators.