X-Ray Vision

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight fight the Covenant! In the Airlock (3:45), Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeep) into the world of video game adaptations, including recapping and discussing the new Halo series on Paramount+, and the games they’ve been playing (well all know Jason’s only playing one game right now). In the Hive Mind (52:55), X-Ray Vision is thrilled to welcome comics writing legend Grant Morrison to the show to explore their time on Batman, X-Men, their origin story with comics, as well as their thoughts on writing comics vs. TV and the creative process. In Nerd Out (1:47:30) a listener pitches us on Final Fantasy 4 Free Enterprise and in the Endgame (1:49:53), Jason and Rosie pick their top three video game adaptations.Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IG, website, author archive, & Letterboxd.Oliver’s IGThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Halo: The Fall of Reach - Written by Eric Nylund, published 2001, and serves as a prelude to the first Halo game. Available here.Batman: Arkham Asylum (aka A Serious House on Serious Earth) - Written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Dave McKean. Grant wants a critical reappraisal of their iconic comic, what do you think?Jan Švankmajer - Grant cited this pioneering Czech filmmaker and avant garde artist, especially his work with stop-motion and puppetry, as one of the principal inspirations for Arkham Asylum. Among Svankmajer’s best known works are Conspirators of Pleasure and Alice.Animal Man - The Grant Morrison run began in 1988 with penciller Chas Truog and covers by Brian Bolland and ran until issue #26. This is the series where Morrison first popularly explored concepts that have defined their work since: questioning the nature of reality, writing so-called ‘metafiction,’ and more.Hyperobjects - As defined by Timothy Morton: “Hyperobjects are objects which have a vitality to them but you can't touch them, like race or class, or climate change. Their effects may be experienced even if they cannot be necessarily touched.”Steve de Souza’s interview in the Guardian about filming Street Fighter with a “coked out of his mind” Jean-Claude Van Damme.For a transcript of this episode visit crooked.com/xrayvision See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Live from Austin, it’s X-Ray Vision! On this episode, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight perform a live show at South by Southwest! First in Previously On (1:29), Jason and Rosie discuss the upcoming Moon Knight series and the newly released trailer for Marvel Studios’ Ms. Marvel. Then in the Airlock (37:05) Jason and Rosie rank and reason out their top three Multiverses while exploring the historical and narrative importance of the multiverse device across fiction and comics. And finally, Jason and Rosie answer questions from the mailbag and from their live SXSW audience (55:44).Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IG, website, author archive, Letterboxd, + Cougar & Cub comic.The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Ms. Marvel (2014) Created by editors Sana Amanat and Stephen Wacker, writer G. Willow Wilson, and artists Adrian Alphona and Jamie McKelvie – Khan made her first appearance in Captain Marvel #14 (August 2013) before going on to star in the solo series Ms. Marvel, which debuted in February 2014.Days of Future Past (1981) Chris Claremont, John Byrne, Terry Austin – a storyline in Uncanny X-Men issues #141–142.Cube + Cube film series (Canadian series: 1997, 2002, 2004, Japanese remake: 2021) original directed by Vincenzo Natali.Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – sequels coming in October 2022 & 2023.DC Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985) by Marv Wolfman & George Perez – followed by Infinite Crisis (2005–2006) and Final Crisis (2008–2009).Secret Wars (2015) by Jonathan Hickman, Esad Ribic – The storyline involves the destruction of the Marvel Universe and various other alternate universes.For a transcript of this episode visit crooked.com/xrayvision See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight visit Crime Alley! First in Previously On (2:05), Jason and Rosie discuss release date changes to Warner Bros’ schedule as well as the new teaser for Disney’s Obi-Wan Kenobi series. In the Airlock (7:19) Jason and Rosie rank and reason out their top five Batman adaptations. Then in the Hive Mind (28:08), Jason and Rosie welcome Hollywood legend, Batman super-fan, and theatrical Batman executive producer and originator Michael Uslan to detail his time at DC, Batman’s cinematic origins, give some Hollywood advice, and tell stories of his extraordinary life with comics. And in the Endgame (1:21:51), Jason and Rosie rank the top three times we’ve seen Thomas and Martha Wayne murdered in various Batman adaptations.Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IG, website, author archive, Letterboxd, + Cougar & Cub comic.The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Batman’s Batman: A Memoir from Hollywood, Land of Bilk and Money – Michael Uslan’s second memoir. Available wherever books are sold, including here.The Boy Who Loved Batman – Michael Uslan’s first memoir. Available where books are sold, including here.For a transcript of this episode visit crooked.com/xrayvision See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight send up the Bat Signal! First in Previously On (2:47), Jason and Rosie discuss a casting in Sony’s Kraven, the imminent arrival of Netflix’s Marvel shows (and of course Agents of Shield) on Disney+, how Hollywood is reacting to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and what some newly released funko pops might tell us about Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In the Airlock (13:24) Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeep) into Matt Reeves’ The Batman, discussing what sets the film apart from previous iterations, why it’s so good, and offering a variety of recommendations for folks to read, watch, and play after they see The Batman (55:28). In this chapter of the Omnibus (1:25:05), Jason explores science-fiction’s relationship with war and vice versa. In the Hive Mind (1:37:29), Jason and Rosie are joined by comedian and podcaster Pete Holmes to discuss The Batman and in the Endgame (1:52:32), Jason and Rosie pick the craziest villain from Batman’s Rogues Gallery to see in a future Batman installment.Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IG, website, author archive, Letterboxd, + Cougar & Cub comic.The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Batman: Year One (serialized as Batman #404-407 in 1987) – written by Frank Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli. Batman: The Long Halloween (1996-97) – Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale, which directly led to Batman: Dark Victory & Catwoman: When in Rome by the pair in the late 90s & early 2000s.Batman: Earth One Vol 1-3 (launched overall in 2010, Batman’s came out in 2012) – Written by Geoff Johns, art by Gary Frank.Batman: Ego & Other Tails (2000) – Darwyn Cooke & Paul Grist.Batman: Hush (2002-03) – Jeph Loeb & Jim LeeBatman: The Telltale Games (2016) – point & click adventure game by Telltale Games and distributed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment under its DC Entertainment label.Batman: Arkham Games (2009 - present) – developed by Rocksteady Studios and WB Games Montréal. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) – Animated film directed by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm and written by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko, and Michael Reaves.Batman: The Animated Series (1992-95, 85 episodes total) – By Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Mitch Brian and Eric Radomski, starring Kevin Conroy.Batman: Cataclysm / Batman: No Man’s Land (1998-99) – written by numerous, outlined by Jordan B Gorfinkel.Batman: Zero Year (2013-14) – Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV.Batman 72 Vehicles & People by Francesco FrancavillaFor a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/x-ray-vision See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight get a hug from an eagle! First in Previously On (2:07), Jason and Rosie discuss casting news, including the Sonyverse’s Chameleon and MCU’s Blade, how immersed Paul Dano got in his Riddler role, and the release of more Thor: Love and Thunder Legos and what that might tell us about phase 4 and 5 of the MCU. In the Airlock (29:57) Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeep) into HBO Max’s Peacemaker, discussing James Gunn’s trademark style, Peacemaker season 2, and the historical precedents for DC / Marvel creative crossovers. In the Hive Mind (1:22:24), Jason is joined by Peacemaker star Chukwudi Iwuji for a charming conversation about working with James Gunn, acting from the page, his father’s burgeoning cinephilia, and trying to keep up comedically with John Cena (plus how that opening dance sequence came together). In Nerd Out (1:41:22) a listener pitches us on Amazon Prime’s The Legend of Vox Machina and the webseries Critical Role that inspired it. And in the Endgame (1:44:48), Jason and Rosie name their favorite villain turned hero.Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IG, website, author archive, & Letterboxd.The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!A-Force – Marvel’s first all female team of Avengers; debuting in 2015, created by writers G. Willow Wilson and Marguerite Bennett and artist Jorge Molina, and appearing in an alternate universe during 2015’s Secret Wars before being folded into the main continuity. It was critically lauded, but canceled in 2016 due to poor sales. Available on Marvel Unlimited.A Death in the Family – A 1988 storyline written by Jim Starlin and penciled by Jim Aparo, with cover art by Mike Mignola, and infamous because readers could call two 900 numbers to decide whether Jason Todd, aka Robin, would live or die. Serialized in Batman #426-429 and considered one of the most important Batman storylines for pushing the character’s series and tone in a darker direction. Available on Amazon.Rosie’s Rec – Arrive in My Hands by Trinidad Escobar, available from Black Josei Press. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion, Rosie Knight, and Jason Mantzoukas settle in and talk comics! That’s right, it’s time for another installment of X-Ray Vision’s Comics Corner. First in Previously On (2:30), Jason and Rosie spend a little time unpacking a few recent news stories, including the rebirth of Paramount and some of the Super Bowl trailers; then Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeep) into the latest trailer and poster from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, offering plot and story theories, speculating on characters, and backing all of it up with extensive comics lore. In the Hive Mind (52:23), Jason Mantzoukas joins Jason and Rosie to review and recommend tons of comics, including what everyone is reading right now, some favorite comics for kids, and their back issue/quarter-bin pick, aka the comics they happened to stumble upon and fall in love with. In Nerd Out (1:41:27) a listener pitches us on alternative movie posters and in the Endgame (1:44:09), Jason and Rosie choose their mutant power.Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IG, website, author archive, & Letterboxd.The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Our Pull List for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness:X-Men: Trial of Magneto – 5 issues; written by Leah Williams, art by Lucas Werneck, August 2021. Available here. House of M – 8 core issues with some crossover arcs; written by Brian Michael Bendis & illustrated by Olivia Coipel, June 2005. Available here.Illuminati – The series with writing by Bendis that segues into Jonathan Hickman’s New Avengers run. Available here.Marvel Zombies – 5 issue limited series; written by Robert Kirkman, art by Sean Phillips, covers by Arthur Suydam, 2005. Available here.Savage Land – Chris Claremont’s Uncanny X-Men, beginning with Uncanny X-Men #94 and ending with Uncanny X-Men #279 when Claremont left Marvel in 1991. Available on Marvel Unlimited.Young Avengers - by Jamie McKelvie and Kieron Gillen; America Chavez was introduced in 2011's Vengeance #1 by Joe Casey and Nick Dragotta.Rosie’s Shuma-Gorath Nerdist Article.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight saddle up a rancor! First in Previously On (2:05), Jason and Rosie talk about Amazon’s LOTR and more Super Bowl Sunday trailers we might expect, Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi poster drop, Futurama’s return on Hulu, and offer some Random Recommendations. Then in the Airlock (15:18) they dive deep (deeeep) into the epic finale of The Book of Boba Fett, discussing what we might expect from future Star Wars stories, critiques of Boba Fett, and the exploration of politics and people at the heart of the Star Wars universe. In Nerd Out (1:10:40) a listener pitches us on Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files novels. And in the Endgame (1:13:47), Jason and Rosie give the Medal of Yavin to one character each in the Book of Boba Fett.Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IG, website, author archive, & Letterboxd.The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!The Absolute Book by Elizabeth Knox. Available from Bookshop.Devil House by John Darnielle. Available from Bookshop.From the Journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi – Written by Jason Aaron & Dash Aaron; the trade paperback was released in November, 2020 and chronicles Obi-Wan’s life on Tatooine as he protects Luke from the shadows and tries to stay under the radar of the Empire, but still seeks to stop injustice. Available from Comixology. The Wire – The iconic HBO series from former police beat reporter David Simon; each season expanded the scope of the narrative, starting with the Baltimore PD and the drug trade before dramatizing the docks, city politics, education and more. Available on HBO Max.Rosie’s Interview with Matt Reeves on Amazon’s ‘Tales from the Loop’For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight square off in Mos Pelgo! First in Previously On (2:05), they discuss the upcoming Halo series on Paramount+, the character posters from Amazon’s upcoming Lord of the Rings series, and the casting of Dakota Johnson as Madame Web. Then in the Airlock (22:08) they dive deep (deeeep) into Book of Boba Fett chapter 6, offering theories for the finale as well as analyzing the dichotomy of Jedi and Mandalorian philosophies. In the Omnibus (1:09:55) Jason surveys the post-apocalyptic genre. In the Hive Mind (1:22:25) Patrick Somerville, the writer and creator of HBO Max’s Station Eleven, joins Jason to unpack the series, examine human connection and genre, and probe the role of the internet in our collective consciousness. In Nerd Out (1:59:57) a listener pitches us on the spooky oeuvre of Mike Flanagan, particularly Midnight Mass. And in the Endgame (2:03:36), Jason and Rosie choose a ‘Station Eleven,’ a piece of art/media that has fundamentally shaped them.Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IG, author archive, & LetterboxdThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Age of Rebellion Comics – Written by Greg Pak and running from April 2019 through June 2019; featuring iconic characters like Han Solo, Leia, Grand Moff Tarkin, and more. “The Trial of Dagobah” written by Marc Guggeinheim was featured in Age of Rebellion Special #1, available on Marvel Unlimited.Journey to the West – Originally published in the 16th century and attributed to Wu Cheng’en; according to Britannica: “In addition to the novel’s comedy and adventure, Journey to the West has been enjoyed for its biting satire of society and Chinese bureaucracy and for its allegorical presentation of human striving and perseverance.” This version has a foreword by acclaimed comics artist Gene Luen Yang.Young Jedi Knights Novel Series – Written by Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta and first published in 1995. The first novel in the series is Heirs of the Force and the final is Crisis at Crystal Reef. Available in a few different places secondhand, including here.Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie – “And you yell to yourself and you throw down yer hat / Sayin', ‘Christ do I gotta be like that / Ain't there no one here that knows where I'm at / Ain't there no one here that knows how I feel / Good God Almighty / THAT STUFF AIN'T REAL’” – Full lyrics here & Dylan’s 1963 performance in New York here.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight take a trip on a Corellian Freighter! First in Previously On (2:09), Jason and Rosie briefly discuss the new Star Wars game announcements, resolving computer problems for the upcoming issue of the fantastic Image series The Good Asian (that everyone should check out), and the return of the acclaimed series Saga (with no spoilers). In the Airlock (16:27) Jason & Rosie dive deep (deeeep) into the latest episode of Book of Boba Fett (aka Ch. 1 Book of the Mandalorian). In Nerd Out (54:18) a listener pitches us on the television classic Babylon 5. And in the Endgame (57:17), Jason and Rosie play Mando Kart, racing Rainbow Road with only their wits & their choice of Star Wars character, vehicle, weapon, & glider to guide them.Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IG, author archive, & other awesome work!The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!The Night Comes For Us – Written and directed by Timo Tjahjanto in 2018, who is also known as half of the acclaimed filmmaking duo The Mo Brothers, along with Kimo Stamboel. Available on Netflix.Larry Niven - Hugo, Nebula, & Locus award winning author of Ringworld; available on Bookshop.Babylon 5 – Streaming on HBO Max. Message from Space (1978) – As referenced & recommended by Rosie in the stinger of this episode. Full film available here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight gorge on human flesh! First in Previously On (2:13), Jason and Rosie briefly discuss the Microsoft/Activision acquisition, Amazon’s Lord of the Rings teaser, Marvel’s Moon Knight trailer, and the first three episodes of HBOMax’s Peacemaker. In the Hive Mind (29:01) Jason Mantzoukas (How Did This Get Made, Big Mouth, and more) returns to the show to discuss Book of Boba Fett and the Harry Potter Reunion. Then in the Airlock (1:22:07) Jason C. & Rosie dive deep (deeeep) into Showtime’s Yellowjackets. In Nerd Out (1:52:37) a listener pitches us on Super Sentai. And in the Endgame (1:56:24), Jason and Rosie try to survive the Canadian wilderness.Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IG & Polygon pieceHDTGM on EarWolfThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!IGN’s How They Made It for Amazon’s LOTR See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion brushes up on his post-apocalyptic Shakespeare! First in Previously On (2:02), Jason and Rosie Knight discuss recent news of the Image Comics Union and The Raid reboot at Netflix. Then in the Airlock (12:05) they dive deep (deeeep) into Book of Boba Fett chapter 3. In the Hive Mind (42:23) Jason & Haitch from Dune Pod return to the show for a spoiler free conversation about HBOMax’s Station Eleven, post-apocalyptic media, and finding hope in stories and art. In Nerd Out (1:19:52) a listener pitches us on Superman & Lois on The CW. And in the Endgame (1:23:57), Jason and Rosie pick an apocalypse in which to while away their days (ideally not the one we’re currently living in).Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Dune Pod’s Twitter & Apple PodcastsCheck out our Dune episode with the fellas from Dune Pod!Rosie’s IGThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Station Eleven - The basis for the TV series of the same name; written by Emily St. John Mandel and nominated for the National Book Award, the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction, winning the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the Toronto Book Award. Available wherever books are sold.The Road - A 2006 novel by acclaimed author Cormac McCarthy (who is most likely the favorite of that one artsy yet rugged friend – the one who likes “real” camping) set in a wasteland of cannibalism and decay and following the harrowing survival attempts of a father and son. Available wherever books are sold. Star Wars Holiday Special - Adored and abhorred; lampooned & loved. From 1978, set between the events of A New Hope, out in ‘77, & Empire (1980), and chronicles attempts by Han Solo and Chewbacca to get to Kashyyyk in time for ‘Life Day.’ It also introduced the character of Boba Fett, which is partially why we love it. Unavailable to stream officially, but versions are online.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion & Rosie Knight destroy Rockefeller Plaza! First in Previously On (1:56), Jason welcomes us back from the holidays with his initial thoughts on the Harry Potter reunion on HBOMax. In the Airlock (4:44) Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeeep) into the finale of Hawkeye as well as the long term future of the MCU. Then, in the Omnibus (48:46), Jason explores the character of Clint Barton as well as the origins of the bandit archetype. In the Hive Mind (1:04:22), X-Ray welcomes Alex and Mollie, the experts at Star Wars Explained, to break down the first two episodes of The Book of Boba Fett. And finally in Nerd Out (1:42:29) a listener pitches us on the anime series Attack on Titan.Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IGStar Wars Explained YouTube ChannelThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!War of the Bounty Hunters - An ongoing canon comic books event starting in 2021, written by Charles Soule, among others, and pencilled by Steve Mcniven, among others, and following, in part, Boba Fett’s attempts to get a carbonite frozen Han Solo to Tatooine to collect his bounty from Jabba. Available on Marvel Unlimited.Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe - Originally published in 15 volumes in 1982, with editing work by the renowned Mark Gruenwald. The collected deluxe edition is mainly out of print; can be found on ebay (and elsewhere) for the right price.Amazing Spider-Man: Family Business - Written by Mark Waid and James Robinson and published in 2014; featuring the Hawaiian-shirted, white-suited Kingpin. Available on Marvel Unlimited. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 17 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion, Rosie Knight, and Cody Ziglar answer your questions! That’s right, it’s an all-hosts Holiday Mailbag. So snuggle in with a hot cup of tea, a blanket, your comics in your lap, and set your television to the extended crackling fireplace because it’s time to talk about favorite crossover events, creators’ rights, Netflix’s Arcane, video games, and more! X-Ray Vision will be off on New Year’s Eve (celebrating the New Year in style), but we will see you in 2022!Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IGZig’s twitterImage Comics’ UnionThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Eric Nylund’s Halo novels - Comprising The Fall of Reach, First Strike, & Ghosts of Onyx with epic space-naval battles & lots of good action. Ender’s Game with less children & more all around fun. Available on Bookshop and more.Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo - Available here.Exhalation by Ted Chiang - Available here.Dragon Ball Super by Akira Toriyama & illustrated by Toyotarou - Available here.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 16 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion & Rosie Knight try to get into MIT! First, in Previously On (1:36), Jason and Rosie recap episode 5 of Hawkeye, streaming on Disney+. Then, in the Airlock (36:00) Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeeep) into Spider-Man: No Way Home, which is in theaters now. Then, X-Ray’s debut listener submitted Nerd Out (1:39:29) and in The Endgame (1:42:58), Jason and Rosie play another round of Assembly Required, picking a character from No Way Home for a randomly assigned mission (hint: holiday shopping time!). Use #XRVEndgame and let us know what you think of their choices!Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to?Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IGThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Spider-Man: One More Day - A 2007 crossover series written by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada, with art by Quesada; controversial at the time of release, even derided by fans for its reimagining of Peter Parker & MJ’s relationship. Available on Marvel Unlimited.Spider-Man: Brand New Day - A storyline that deals with the fall out of One More Day. Available from Comixology & more.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 15 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion & Rosie Knight prepare for Spider-Man: No Way Home! First, in Previously On (2:29), Jason and Rosie recap episode 4 of Hawkeye, streaming on Disney+, and share how the series has embraced comics like no other. Then, in the Airlock (24:25) Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeeep) into the Spider-Verse, recapping the seven previous Spider-Man films (Maguire, Garfield, & Holland) so you don’t have to watch them all, analyzing the possibilities of No Way Home’s villains, and offering tons of theories for No Way Home and the MCU Multiverse. Then, in The Endgame (1:08:17), Jason and Rosie play another round of Assembly Required, picking a character from the Spider-Verse for a randomly assigned mission (hint: wedding bells anyone?). Use #XRVEndgame and let us know what you think of their choices!Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to?Plus, we got a mailbag episode coming so send your nerdy questions & queries to [email protected]!Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Rosie’s IGSome of George Perez’s iconic comics work: New Teen Titans, JLA/Avengers Crossover, & More!The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Secret Wars - A twelve issue series published in 1984, written by Jim Shooter with art by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton, featuring the Beyonder and Battleworld; essentially an opportunity for Marvel to cash in on a Mattel toyline. Available on Marvel Unlimited.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 14 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion & Cody Ziglar dodge traffic (Pym arrow not included)! In Previously On (1:58), Jason and Zig recap episodes 2 and 3 of Hawkeye, streaming on Disney+. In the Airlock (37:42) Jason and Zig dive deep (deeeeep) into the theories and possibilities of Hawkeye’s upcoming episodes. For The Omnibus (54:17) Jason lifts the lid on organized crime in the Marvel canon. And in The Endgame (1:07:05), Jason and Zig play another round of Assembly Required, picking a character or item from Hawkeye episodes 2 and 3 for a randomly assigned mission (no hints this time). Use #XRVEndgame and let us know what you think of their choices!Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!Nerd Out Submission Instructions!Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to?Plus, we got a mailbag episode coming so send your nerdy questions & queries to [email protected]!Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Zig’s The Dark Weeb podcastThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Savage Land - Created by Jack Kirby and debuting in Marvel Mystery Comics #22, a prehistoric land in the modern world of Marvel comics (right near Antarctica); picture Jurassic Park with even more dinosaurs and zero rules. Daredevil - Specifically the 2011-2014 Eisner-winning series by Mark Waid with eye-popping art by mainly Chris Samnee; the series was known for its humor, introducing the villain Ikari, and featured a team-up with Spidey himself. Available on Marvel Unlimited, Comixology, and more.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 13 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion & Cody Ziglar grab a slice with Lucky the Pizza Dog! First, in the brand new recurring segment Nerd Out (1:41), in which nerds get to share what they love and why, Crooked’s own Kendra James (producer of Keep It & Lovett or Leave It) sits in the captain’s chair to give the latest on Trek as Discovery season 4 premieres on Paramount+. In the Airlock (15:25) Jason and Zig dive deep (deeeeep) into the first episode (and a sprinkling of the second) of Hawkeye, out now on Disney+. And in The Endgame (53:24), Jason and Zig play Assembly Required, picking a character from Hawkeye for a randomly assigned mission (Hint: pass the gravy boat). Use #XRVEndgame & let us know what you think of their choices!Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button! Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Zig’s Amazing Spider-Man #79, out now!Zig’s Twitter & IGThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!My Life as a Weapon aka Hawkeye - Written by Matt Fraction with gorgeous art and covers by mainly David Aja, this is the series Disney+’s Hawkeye takes inspiration from and the series that redefined the character Clint Barton in the eyes of fans. Available on Marvel Unlimited, Amazon, etc.Avengers (2012) - This is the MCU movie that really made people sit up and notice (unless you were already sitting up, in which case it made you stand). We see the continued aftermath of the Battle of New York from Kate Bishop & Clint Barton’s perspectives in Hawkeye, revealing that, when it comes to war & loss, some wounds never heal. Available on Disney+ or for rent.Young Avengers - Created by Allan Heinberg & Jim Cheung before being relaunched by Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie after the Marvel NOW! rebranding in 2012. Both series by the different writers and artists won GLAAD Media Awards (2006, 2014) during their respective runs. Available on Marvel Unlimited.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 12 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion & Rosie Knight jazzercise with She-Hulk! In the Airlock (0:02:09) Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeeep) into the lore around the biggest announcements from the first annual Disney+ Day, including Moon Knight, She-Hulk, and Ms. Marvel. For the Omnibus, (0:49:42) Jason details the background and history of the character Moon Knight; in The Hive Mind (1:09:38), Jason is joined by writer and podcaster Preeti Chhibber for a spoiler-free primer on The Wheel of Time book series by Robert Jordan, the upcoming Amazon TV show (premiering November 19th), and how WoT is different (in a good way) from Game of Thrones. Finally, in The Endgame (1:28:34), Jason and Rosie play Assembly Required, picking a character from Marvel’s Disney+ Day releases for a randomly assigned mission (Hint: you can pick up some Swedish meatballs where we’re going). Use #XRVEndgame & let us know what you think of their choices!Tune in every Wednesday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button! Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Preeti’s Tar Valon or Bust podcast & Wheel of Time ReviewRosie’s IGThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Moon Knight by Lemire & Smallwood - The collected volumes of Jeff Lemire & Greg Smallwood’s run on Moon Knight in which Marc Spector finds himself trapped in an insane asylum. Available on Marvel Unlimited.Patsy Walker, AKA Hellcat - Written by Kate Leth and illustrated by Brittney L. Williams, this 17 issue series started in 2015 and follows Walker after her comeback from hell and starting a super-folk temp agency. Available on Marvel Unlimited.Ms. Marvel (2015-2019) - Written by G. Willow Wilson & drawn by Adrian Alphona with tremendous creative input from Marvel editors Sana Amanat & Stephen Wacker and assistance from Jamie McKelvie. The series garnered critical acclaim and won a Hugo Award in 2015. Available on Marvel Unlimited. See Wakanda & Die - Set during Secret Invasion and written by Jason Aaron with art by Jefte Palo, all about how the skrull invasion very much does NOT go to plan once they hit Wakanda. Available on Marvel Unlimited.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 11 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion & Rosie Knight pack up & start an Amazonian mind-control cult! In Previously On…(1:34) Jason goes solo to recap Eternals, the latest in the MCU, out in theaters now. In the Airlock (24:56) Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeeep) into the theories and characters of Eternals. For the Omnibus (49:06), Jason chronicles the work-life of Eternals’ creator Jack Kirby; in The Hive Mind (or rather, the Uni-Mind) (1:14:02), Jason is joined by comics journalist and author Abraham Riesman for a conversation around creators rights in the comics industry, especially involving Jack Kirby and Stan Lee. Finally, in The Endgame (1:26:21), Jason and Rosie play Assembly Required, picking their Eternal to go head-to-head in a randomly selected scenario (Hint: they’ll be swiping left & right). Use #XRVEndgame & let us know what you think of their choices!Tune in every Wednesday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button! Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Abraham Riesman’s Twitter & website!Check out Comic Book Workers United & show your support!The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Black Knight, Created by Roy Thomas & John Buscema, he’s a Marvel hero whose debut was The Avengers #47 in December, 1967; Dane Whitman is in fact the third character to hold that title. Black Knight has been a member of The Avengers, The Defenders, & MI13, Marvel’s equivalent of the famed real life MI6.Blade, Created by Marv Wolfman & Gene Colan, this half-man, half-vampire (aka dhampir)’s first appearance was 1973’s The Tomb of Dracula #10. Wesley Snipes played the character in a trio of films that came out from 1998 through 2004 (the second was directed & written by a budding Guillermo del Toro and available on HBOMax).She-Hulk’s Past with Eros (aka Starfox), Featured in She-Hulk Vol 2, #6-7, from 2006, written by Dan Slott and art by Will Conrad; the arc ultimately doesn’t really resolve the fate of Eros after his escape from court, so it’s hypothetically possible that the character is still wanted for his crimes on Earth.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a very special Episode 10 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion is joined by both co-hosts, Rosie Knight & Cody Ziglar, for an all hosts, all comics, all conversation! In Previously On…(1:10) Jason goes solo (and Soprano) to unpack the trailer of Disney+’s Boba Fett, Sony’s Morbius, and celebrate the formation of the brand new Comic Book Workers United union at Image Comics (link to support below!). In the Airlock (9:51) Jason, Rosie, and Zig dive deep (deeeeep) into the world of comics, offering entry points for eager new readers, some all time personal faves, and what they’re looking forward to in all things panel & page. In The Endgame (1:00:22), Jason, Rosie, and Zig play Some Assembly Required, picking their comics character to go head-to-head-to-head in a randomly selected scenario (Hint: stock up on Koopa Shells). Use #XRVEndgame & let us know what you think of their choices!Tune in every Wednesday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button! Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS:Check out Comic Book Workers United & show your support!The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Black Widow (2020) - Kelly Thompson & Elena Casagrande. Available here.Hawkeye (2012) - Matt Fraction & David Aja. Available here. Hellions (2020) - Zeb Wells & Stephen Segovia. Available here.Young Avengers (2013) - Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, & Matt Wilson. Available here.Infinity Gauntlet (1991) - Jim Starlin, George Pérez, & Ron Lim. Available here.Silver Surfer: Rebirth of Thanos (1990) - Ron Lim & Jim Starlin. Available here.X-Men: Grand Design (2018) - Ed Piskor. Available here.Ultimate Spider-Man (2000) - Brian Michael Bendis with Mark Bagley, Stuart Immonen, David LaFuente, & Sara Pichelli. Available here.Avengers Disassembled / New Avengers (2004) - Brian Michael Bendis with various, including David Finch & Steve McNiven. Available here.Saga of Swamp Thing (1984) - Alan Moore, Stephen Bissette, & John Totleben. Available here.Batman: Year One (1987) - Frank Miller & David Mazzucchelli. Available here.Hellboy: The Chained Coffin and Others (1998) - Mike Mignola. Available here.Invincible (2003) - Robert Kirkman with Cory Walker & Ryan Ottley. Available here.This One Summer (2014) - Mariko & Jillian Tamaki. Available here.Super Mutant Magic Academy (2015) - Jillian Tamaki. Available here.Very Near Mint (2011) - Justin Peterson. Available here.Scott Pilgrim (2004) - Bryan Lee O’Malley. Available here.Love and Rockets (1982) -The Hernandez Brothers, Gilbert, Jaime, & Mario. Available here.Akira (1982) - Katsuhiro Otomo. Available here.Fantasy Sports (2015) - Sam Bosma. Available here.We3 (2004) - Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly. Available here.Demon Days (2021) - Peach Momoko. Available here.Trial of the Amazons DC Event (2022) - Written with input by Becky Cloonan, Michael Conrad, Vita Ayala, Stephanie Williams, Joelle Jones, and Jordie Bellaire. Start with Nubia & The Amazons, available here.The Antagonists (2020) - Tyler F. Martin with Felipe Dunbar, Kelechi Nwaogwugwu, Kieran Jack, Giacomo Guida. Available here. Fist of the North Star re-release by Viz (2021) - Buronson & Tetsuo Hara. Available here.The Good Asian (2021) - by Pornsak Pichetshote & Alexandre Tefenkgi. Available here.The Department of Truth (2021) - James Tynion & Martin Simmonds. Available here.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a very special Episode 9 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion fights for DESERT POWER! In Previously On…(2:13) Jason goes solo to recap the world of Frank Herbert’s Dune as brought to life in Denis Villeneuve’s new film. In the Airlock (32:48) Jason is joined by special guests Jason Goldman & Haitch of the Dune Pod to dive deep (deeeeep) into the cinematic sand dunes & rich textural history of Herbert’s novels. In The Omnibus (1:08:36), Jason explores the origin of the space empire trope and compares and contrasts Dune with Isaac Asimov’s Foundations. And in The Endgame (1:20:32) Shea Serrano drops by the pod to give his take on Dune, shout out his new book, and then Jason and Shea pick their Cafeteria Table (from Jason & Shea’s own The Connect) of Hot Cinematic Dads. X-Ray’s Rule of Thumb: you can never have too many Oscar Isaacs. Use #XRVEndgame & let us know what you think of their choices!Tune in every Wednesday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button! Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS: Listen to Jason Goldman & Haitch on the Dune Pod & check out the other fantastic shows on the Tapedeck Podcast Network!Hip Hop (And Other Things) by Shea Serrano is out now & available wherever books are sold!The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Enemy, a 2013 drama film directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Jake Gyllenhaal in a dual role as men alike in appearance, but different in personality. The spider reference in question relates to the dreams shared by Gyllenhaal’s characters Adam & Anthony, including a dream of a naked woman with a spider head and a skyscraper-sized spider crawling through the city.Frank Herbert’s Dune (Sci-Fi), A 2000 miniseries on the Sci Fi Channel (before the ‘Y’ rebrand), written and directed by John Harrison, and followed up with a Children of Dune miniseries in 2003. Dune (’84), directed and written by David Lynch, and featuring Kyle Maclachlan in his film debut. Heavily criticized upon release for pretty much everything except its special effects, the film bombed at the box office and Lynch disowned it. Roger Ebert scorched the movie in his review and later named it the worst movie of the year. Available on HBOMax.Silent Spring, by Rachel Carson; first published in 1962, the book focuses on the adverse environmental impact (mostly on birds, hence the title) of excessive pesticides by chemical companies. The book prompted widespread outrage and an overall ban on the use of DDT for agricultural purposes. Available on Bookshop.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 8 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Cody Ziglar have a latte with The Riddler! In Previously On…(2:56) Jason and Zig briefly discuss the release changes in upcoming Disney films and mourn the cancellation of FX on Hulu’s Y: The Last Man. In the Airlock (13:44) Jason and Zig dive deep (deeeeep) into the trailers that emerged from this past weekend’s DC FanDome, including The Batman, The Flash, HBOMax’s Peacemaker and more. In The Omnibus (42:36), Jason continues his exploration of the ‘deadly games’ genre to further analyze the economic and sociopolitical ideas behind Netflix’s smash hit Squid Game. Next, writer & podcaster Dave Schilling drops by this week’s Hive Mind (58:59) for an astute conversation around what makes HBO’s Succession the best show on TV & why we love the Roys despite their awful behavior. Finally, in The Endgame (1:24:48) Jason and Zig play Top Fives for their ‘favorite’ fictional billionaires. Use #XRVEndgame & tweet at Jason to let us know what you think of their choices!Tune in every Wednesday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button! Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaPLUGS: Dave Schilling & Jonah Ray’s Galaxy Brains & Dave’s LA Times article on why men should wear skirts.Zig’s twitter: twitter.com/yayforzig & his pod (co-hosted with Brodie Reed) The Dark Weeb: available wherever you get your podcasts!The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Batman (’89), Directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton in the titular role with Jack Nicholson turning in a hammily deranged performance as the Joker; the film’s campy atmosphere and theatricality is both eye-catching and divergent from the gritty, more noir later Batman films of the 2000s. Available on HBOMax.Flashpoint, a 2011 crossover comics series, the bulk of which was written by Geoff Johns with art by Andy Kubert. As alluded to by Jason, this series radically shifted the landscape of the DC universe and led to the The New 52 reboot of DC’s ongoing series.1989: Bob Dylan Didn’t Have This to Sing About, by prominent cultural theorist and poet Joshua Clover originally published in 2009, which analyzes the year 1989 in popular music and the outgrowths (such as rap, grunge, acid house, etc.) that emerged in the following decade. Clover is currently a Professor of English & Comparative Literature at UC Davis. Available on Bookshop.com.Peep Show, a British sit-com that ran from 2003 to 2015 and was written by Jesse Armstrong, among others. Following the lives of two best friends, the show, with its offbeat humor, unconventional POV filming style (hence the name ‘peep show’), and voiceover narration offering the internal monologue of the characters’ thoughts, never achieved wide audiences but garnered critical acclaim across its run. Available lots of places.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 7 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight play Red Light, Green Light, otherwise known as What’s the Time Mr. Wolf! In Previously On…(3:50) Jason and Rosie celebrate DC’s announcement of Jon Kent (aka the Superman of Earth) coming out as bisexual as well as the revival of the iconic Image comics series Saga by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples. In a mini-segment called The Editor’s Note (10:48), X-Ray Vision producer (and 007 superfan) Chris Lord joins to toast (with a vodka martini of course) No Time to Die and speculate on the future of the franchise. In the Airlock (26:30) Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeeep) into the Netflix smash hit Squid Game to unmask why the show and its capitalist critiques resonate so strongly. Next, this week’s Hive Mind (59:50) features an insightful conversation between Jason and two of the producers behind Disney+’s anime anthology Star Wars: Visions. Finally, in The Endgame (1:19:50) Jason and Rosie select their own ‘Deadly Game’ in which to compete (and hopefully not lose). Use #XRVEndgame & tweet at Jason to let us know what you think of their choices!Tune in every Wednesday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button! Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Saga, An iconic epic space opera in the truest possible sense; this comics fantasia tells the story of a wife & husband from warring planets, one highly technologic, the other magical, and their interplanetary adventures with their daughter and an ever-changing cast of oddballs, bounty hunters, & a robot-computer-sex-addict-prince (you read that right). Available in multiple compendiums, single issues, & more.Goldfinger, The 1964 third installment of the EON-produced 007 James Bond franchise, starring Sean Connery at the height of his prowess & charisma. While undoubtedly problematic for its portrayal of women and Koreans (specifically, characters Pussy Galore & Odd Job), the film also cemented the now trademark Bond formula of gadgets, close calls, & big action set pieces. It is considered by many to be the quintessential Bond film. Available on Hulu & more.Call of Duty: Warzone, Introduced on March 10, 2020, this free-to-play Battle Royale style game takes the incredibly popular Call of Duty FPS franchise in a slightly new direction by limiting game modes and utilizing large scale (shrinking) maps to give players room to collect cash, weaponry, and fight each other off.Battle Royale (2000), Literally the film by which most other works in this genre are named for and/or reference (see COD: Warzone above). Directed by Kinji Fukasaku and based on a book by Koushun Takami, the film follows the kill or be-killed antics of a group of delinquent school children. Highly controversial upon release for its violence & gore, it has gone on to such cult fame that it is essentially a widely popular film. Available here.Gambling Apocalypse: Kaiji, A Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Nobuyuki Fukumoto that has been ongoing since 1996 and chronicles the very misadventurous escapades of an inveterate gambler named Kaiji Ito. The series has garnered wide acclaim, both critically and commercially, in Japan and beyond.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 6 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight go raving with a Symbiote! In Previously On… they discuss the absolute madness that is Sony’s Venom: Let There be Carnage as well as the MCU reverberations of the film’s stinger (1:12). Then, in The Airlock, they dive deep (deeeep) into the finale of the Disney+ show What If…? and the ongoing multiversal trials and tribulations of the MCU (34:21). Next, Jason cracks open the Omnibus to explore the origins and popularity of the symbiote suit that ultimately becomes Eddie Brock’s Venom (1:00:25). In The Hive Mind, Jason chats with What If…? head writer A.C. Bradley and series director Bryan Andrews about Zombie Wanda, writing and directing animation, the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman, and drinking whisky while writing Darcy Lewis and Party Thor (1:19:33). In The Endgame, Jason and Rosie play Face Off, pondering the question of which characters (if any!) from across all franchises, properties, and universes could possibly defeat Infinite Ultron (1:39:28). Use #XRVEndgame to let us know what you think!Tune in every Wednesday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button! Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!Natural Born Killers, the controversial 1994 film directed by Oliver Stone with a heavily (emphasis on the word ‘heavily’) revised script by Quentin Tarantino, who later disowned the film. Stars Woody Harrelson and Juliette Lewis as a pair of traumatized mass murderers sensationalized by the media. Available on HBOMax.VEEP, the critically acclaimed HBO TV series, created by Armando Iannucci (as an adaptation of his earlier sit-com The Thick of It) and starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Selina Meyer, all about the foibles of an egoistic vice president. Available on HBOMax.Don Quixote, published in two parts in 1605 and 1615 by Miguel de Cervantes, and widely considered one of the foundational literary texts of all time; it follows a nobleman (Don Quixote) who deliriously desires to become a chivalric knight of yore and looks for prospective damsels in distress to rescue with the aid of his squire, a peasant farmer named Sancho Panza. Available everywhere you can get a book (go for physical if you can).Gorr, The God Butcher, To be played by Christian Bale in the upcoming Taika Waititi directed fourth installment in the Thor franchise of the MCU - Thor: Love and Thunder. Gorr first appeared in Thor: God of Thunder #2 in 2012 and his name pretty much sums it up for what he’s after. For a while in the comics, Gorr wielded the Necrosword, forged by Knull, the progenitor of the symbiotes, thus the symbiote/Thor connection.Venom: Lethal Protector, a 1993 six-issue series by David Michelinie and Mark Bagley that is the first to feature Eddie Brock and Venom as main characters and transformed the duo from villain to anti-hero.Planet of the Symbiotes, a 1995 five issue series by David Michelinie about the invasion of Earth by an army of symbiotes.Secret Wars, a 12-issue crossover series from 1984-85, written by Jim Shooter with art by Mike Zeck and Bob Layton, featuring The Beyonder, Battleworld, many heroes and villains, and the debut of the black Spider suit, which later became Venom.Kirby Krackle, an artistic convention created by legend Jack Kirby that utilizes black as a negative space to portray unexplained energy, like blasts from explosions, ray guns, etc. The earliest known use dates to 1940 in Blue Bolt #5.For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 5 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Cody Ziglar stage an intervention to get Darcy & Howard the Duck into couples therapy! In Previously On… (1:25) Jason and Zig grab a cold one with Party Thor to catch up on the antics of the latest What If…? Then in The Airlock (18:06) they dive deep (deeeep) into their three favorite remaining Disney+ Star Wars: Visions shorts: “The Ninth Jedi” by Production I.G, “T0-B1” by Science SARU, and “The Elder” by TRIGGER. Then, in The Hive Mind (41:19), Jason welcomes Alex Damon of Star Wars: Explained to analyze the canonicity and lore potential of a few of the Visions shorts as well as give his overall thoughts on the anime anthology. Finally, in The Endgame (1:01:27), Jason and Zig play Fit Check: Spider-Verse Edition, ranking their Top Three Spidey universe costumes because “With great fits, comes great responsibility.” Don’t forget to order up your copy of Miles Morales: Spider-Man #30 out now, celebrating 10 Years of Miles Morales & featuring a short story by the one and only Cody Ziglar!Tune in every Wednesday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the subscribe button! Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaThe Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision! THOR: GOD OF THUNDER, by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic, originally came out in 2012 and featured Young Thor, Modern Thor, and King Thor. Count Luchino Nefaria, a villain descended from a line of Italian noblemen who controlled the “Maggia,” the Marvel comics “Mafia,” and later acquired superpowers. Jason is referencing Brian Michael Bendis’ run on New Avengers. Akira (1988), the iconic post-apocalyptic cyberpunk anime film, directed by Katsuhiro Otomo about what happens to a biker gang when one of their members gains unbelievable telekinetic abilities. Available on Hulu. My Hero Academia, based on the manga of the same name about a boy without superpowers in a world in which powers are common but still dreams of gaining them. The anime was produced by Bones. Available on Hulu, Crunchyroll, & more. Voltron, an adaptation of several different anime, first aired in 1984 and follows five space explorers who pilot a giant robot, aka Voltron. Available here. Patlabor, a multimedia franchise in Japan starting with the original manga, an anime show, multiple features, & more; set in a near future Tokyo and following the exploits, both thrilling and mundane, of a robotic division of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police. Astro Boy, known as Atom in Japan, an iconic character of manga and anime, created by Osamu Tezuka in 1951. The character has been featured in video games, TV, and film. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, developed by Respawn Entertainment and published by EA; after the events of Revenge of the Sith and the fall of the Republic, Jedi Padawan Cal Kestis evades the Empire & attempts to rebuild the Jedi Order. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 4 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Cody Ziglar have the high ground when talking about three incredible shorts in Disney+’s Star Wars: Visions (dropping 9/22)! In Previously On (1:26)… they go bananas (better than flinging their feces, right?) for the trailer of Hulu’s upcoming Hit-Monkey series as well as recap the latest episode of What If…? and predict what’s coming next. Then in The Airlock (17:09) Jason and Cody dive deep (deeeeep) on three shorts from Star Wars: Visions: “The Duel” (Kamikaze Douga), “Tatooine Rhapsody” (Studio Colorido), and “The Twins” (Studio TRIGGER). Next, Jason cracks open The Omnibus (42:23) to explore the life and work of visionary director Akira Kurosawa and his prominent influence on the Star Wars universe. In The Hive Mind (1:00:34), Jason, Cody, and writer Alicia Lutes question whether Star Wars needs cinema when it has such good serialized storytelling in Clone Wars, The Mandalorian, and more. Finally, in today’s Endgame (1:19:57 )Jason & co. award their Medals of Yavin to the best characters from these three Visions shorts. Who was your favorite? Use #XRVEndgame to let us know!Tune in every Wednesday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the subscribe button! Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaIntroducing… The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision, including the properties name-dropped in the episode! Hit-Monkey #1 and especially Deadpool #19-21, which features a Spider-Man/Merc with a Mouth team-up. Basilisk, the anime series based on the manga of the same name by Masaki Segawa. The 24 episode first season is on Hulu & Funimation; a second series produced in 2018 set ten years later is not. Sword of the Stranger (2007) is an anime film produced by Bones. Available on Funimation. RoboTech, a US-produced series broadcast on Harmony Gold that spooled together stories from three unrelated mecha anime series. Toonami, is an Adult Swim programming block started way back in 1997 on Cartoon Network that primarily airs anime. Kill la Kill, an anime series produced by TRIGGER and showcasing their frenetic, fast-paced style. Available on Netflix, Hulu, or Crunchyroll. Promare, a 2019 mecha (i.e. robots) anime film co-produced by TRIGGER that showcases more of that same style. Available on HBOMax or to rent on iTunes or Amazon. The Hidden Fortress (1958), directed by Akira Kurosawa. Available on HBOMax, Criterion Channel, & Kanopy. George Lucas: A Biography by John Baxter. The Making of Star Wars by JW Rinzler. Rashomon (1950), directed by Akira Kurosawa. Available on Criterion Channel, HBOMax, Kanopy & to rent on Amazon or iTunes. The Simpsons, “Thirty Minutes Over Tokyo” (season 10, ep. 23). Available on Disney+. Yojimbo (1961), Sanjuro (1962), Kagemusha (1980), Ran (1985), and Dreams (1990), all directed by Akira Kurosawa, the inspiration for Sergio Leone & Clint Eastwood. Available on Criterion Channel, HBOMax, & Kanopy. Wolverine, written by Chris Claremont with art by Frank Miller and first published in 1982. The 4-issue arc covers Wolverine’s engagement to Mariko Yashida. The Asian Influence on Hollywood Action Films (2008), by Barna William Donovan. Astro Boy, known as Atom in Japan, an iconic character of manga and anime, created by Osamu Tezuka in 1951. The character has been featured in video games, TV, and film. Star Wars: The Clone Wars, if you’re listening to this right now, you probably already know it, but, if you don’t, check it out! Available on Disney+. For a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 3 of X-Ray Vision, Christmas comes early for Jason Concepcion and rotating co-host Rosie Knight! In Previously On… they get the download on the Matrix Resurrections trailer (1:56), toggle their gamepads with the latest Marvel and DC video game news (8:02), talk about Marvel’s separation from Immortal Hulk artist Joe Bennett (16:49), geek out over the forthcoming Avengers Forever series (26:44), unwrap the Christmas extravaganza of Disney+’s Hawkeye (32:19), and give their hot takes on the first three episodes of FX on Hulu’s Y: The Last Man (44:09). In The Airlock (59:14), Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeeeep) into predictions for the final episodes of the Disney+ show What If…? and contemplate the multiverse of possibilities for future Marvel animated projects. Then on The Hive Mind (1:28:03), Jason chats with Simu Liu, star of Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings. Finally, in The Endgame (1:41:11), Jason and Rosie each rank their Top Five Pop Cultural Apocalypses.Don’t forget to Hulk Smash the subscribe button!Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaFor a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 2 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion navigates his way through a moving forest to bring you his take on the latest MCU film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings! But first in Previously On… (1:23) Jason and rotating co-host Rosie Knight discuss Netflix’s newly cast live action reboot of Avatar, geek out over the stills from the upcoming Cowboy Bebop show, howl at the moon over rumors of a Marvel Werewolf By Night Halloween Special, and recap episodes 3 and 4 of What If…?. In the Airlock (32:15) they sing their praises of Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings, then Jason cracks open the Omnibus (51:43) and dives deep into the history and context of Shang-Chi’s comic origins as well as The Mandarin’s Ten Rings. For this week’s Hive Mind (1:10:11), X-Ray Vision welcomes Phil Yu (aka Angry Asian Man) to discuss Asian American representation in pop culture and, in the Endgame (1:23:50), all three throw down their Top Five Weapons & Gear of the MCU. Don’t forget to Hulk Smash the subscribe button! Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaFor a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Episode 1 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion’s spidey-senses are tingling! Jason and rotating co-host Cody Ziglar talk about the excitement surrounding the upcoming Disney+ Star Wars: Visions anthology series, dissect the mind-blowing Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer, and Jason tells all about his unexpectedly iconic look at the Shang-Chi Premiere (1:42). Then, Jason and Cody dive deep (deeeeep) into Marvel Phase 4 & the shows WandaVision, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, and Loki currently streaming on Disney+ (24:50). Next, Jason unpacks the mythological origins of the character Loki (1:02:42) before welcoming X-Ray Vision’s very first panelist Jason Mantzoukas (1:15:57) to talk about how Marvel is changing TV and film to be more like comics. Finally, as the cherry on top of the superhero sundae, Jason Concepcion and Cody play a round of “Who’s Your Neville? Who’s Your Gollum?” (1:39:40). Because what are Podcasts if not Culture persevering?Don’t forget to Hulk smash the subscribe button!Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmediaFor a closed-captioned version of this episode, please visit crooked.com/xrayvision.. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing X-Ray Vision, the newest podcast from Crooked Media. From the mind of Emmy-award winner Jason Concepcion comes X-Ray Vision. This new weekly podcast transcends pop culture and entertainment, taking listeners from Middle-Earth to Waystar Royco, and everything in between.Hold on to your cape as we journey through the zeitgeist-iest (patent pending) of film, TV, and comics– guided by Jason’s one-of-a-kind analysis and expert guests. Test your fandom knowledge with panel discussions on the latest nerd news, casting, and show lore while staying tuned for deep dives into all of your favorite franchises. This is X-Ray Vision. Premiering August 30th with new episodes dropping weekly. Subscribe now! Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rkFollow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmedia See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.