loader from loading.io

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

Geek Freaks

Release Date: 05/07/2025

Gamescom, WoW Midnight, and Why Brand Events Still Matter show art Gamescom, WoW Midnight, and Why Brand Events Still Matter

Geek Freaks

Frank is joined by Kyle and Scott for a packed roundtable on Gamescom highlights, World of Warcraft Midnight reveals, and a friendly debate on brand events versus trade shows. The crew breaks down Hollow Knight Silksong hype, Fallout Season 2’s New Vegas vibe, a surprise standout in Lego Batman, and how Blizzard’s housing and three raids at launch could reshape the way we play. They wrap with network updates and weekly recommendations. Timestamps and Topics 00:00: Introduction and panel lineup 00:30: Question of the week — fictional foods from pop culture 03:01: News of the week...

info_outline
Paramount’s Big Swing, Narnia First Look, Rambo Prequel, Roblox Safety, and Alien Earth Review with Alex Austin show art Paramount’s Big Swing, Narnia First Look, Rambo Prequel, Roblox Safety, and Alien Earth Review with Alex Austin

Geek Freaks

Frank and Squeaks cover Paramount’s massive week of moves after the Skydance merger, including a new UFC deal, a bigger theatrical slate, a push for family adventure movies, and fresh Star Trek film plans. They react to Greta Gerwig’s Narnia set photos, talk through the young Rambo prequel casting, and share practical steps for Roblox safety that parents can use right now. Reviews land for Alien Earth and King of the Hill. Plus, Frank chats with Alex Austin about building a social platform out of a podcast app and what moderation and growth look like in 2025. Convention plans and network...

info_outline
One Piece, Highlander Reboot, and the Rise of Space Operas | Distance Nerding Interview Pt. 2 show art One Piece, Highlander Reboot, and the Rise of Space Operas | Distance Nerding Interview Pt. 2

Geek Freaks

In this lively episode of GeekFreaks Podcast, Frank and the gang dig deep into the latest pop culture chatter. We cover the lively debate over which fictional characters would thrive on social media, break down the intense new trailer for One Piece season two, and share candid thoughts on the Highlander reboot casting news. Squeaks and Jonathan pitch their dream remakes and sequels, from Short Circuit to Back to the Future. We also talk about DC’s rumored “henchman” movie—and pitch our own cheeky DC headlines. Lastly, the crew celebrates the return of space opera epics and welcomes...

info_outline
Celebrating Spider-Man Day, the Legality of Fan Art, and Best of 2025 So Far show art Celebrating Spider-Man Day, the Legality of Fan Art, and Best of 2025 So Far

Geek Freaks

In this Geek Freaks episode, we celebrate Spiderman Day by discussing the live-action Spider-Man films, Tom Holland's new suit, and the ongoing shoot in Glasgow. The conversation then shifts to the future of the Hulk storyline in the MCU, speculation on God of War and Wolfenstein TV adaptations, and the potential for a Star Trek “Year One” series. We dive into the legality of fan art after recent Pokémon TCG drama, and our hosts share their picks for the best movies, games, comics, and TV shows so far in 2025. Tune in for an engaging discussion that blends nostalgia with fresh...

info_outline
Fantastic Four Reactions, SDCC Highlights, and a Deep Dive with Cindy Mich show art Fantastic Four Reactions, SDCC Highlights, and a Deep Dive with Cindy Mich

Geek Freaks

In this packed episode of Geek Freaks, Frank and Thomas unpack the latest Fantastic Four film, breaking down the performances, emotional stakes, and character portrayals, especially Vanessa Kirby's standout role. Then, Thomas shares his experience attending San Diego Comic-Con 2025 — from exclusive panels and cosplay trends to immersive brand activations. Finally, Frank interviews Cindy Mich, a veteran journalist, filmmaker, and founder of the Art is Alive Film Festival. Cindy opens up about her career, the importance of independent media, the legacy of her late partner, and her current work...

info_outline
Marvel, DC, and Mortal Kombat Collide | Donkey Kong Bonanza Review | Actor Chris Maher Tells All show art Marvel, DC, and Mortal Kombat Collide | Donkey Kong Bonanza Review | Actor Chris Maher Tells All

Geek Freaks

Frank and Squeaks squeeze a convention’s worth of geek news into one episode. They unpack the Mortal Kombat 2 trailer, debate James Gunn and Kevin Feige’s competing road maps, and rate Donkey Kong Bonanza out of ten bananas. Actor‑producer Chris Maher (Blowback, Mojave Diamonds) stops by to share indie‑film war stories, screen‑test secrets, and hard‑won advice for working actors. Timestamps & Topics 00:00 – Intro and episode roadmap 00:25 – Question of the Week: where David Corenswet should land in Star Wars ...

info_outline
Portraits of Dangerous Women with Pascal Bergamin | Interview show art Portraits of Dangerous Women with Pascal Bergamin | Interview

Geek Freaks

In this episode of Geek Freaks, Frank sits down with writer and director Pascal Bergamin to explore his new film Portraits of Dangerous Women. The conversation dives into how a photo book of unconventional women inspired the film’s unique tone, why Bergamin values emotional authenticity over polish, and the realities of getting an indie film released internationally. From the challenges of casting to the passion that drives low-budget filmmaking, this episode is a masterclass in storytelling with heart. Timestamps and Topics: 00:00 Getting settled and pronunciation check 06:24...

info_outline
Superman Returns in Full Force: James Gunn’s Bold New Start for DC show art Superman Returns in Full Force: James Gunn’s Bold New Start for DC

Geek Freaks

Frank and Squeaks dive headfirst into James Gunn’s Superman, the movie that's recharging DC with new energy and old-school heart. They break down everything—from the pacing that mimics a stack of comics, to character performances, visual highs and lows, and why this might be one of the most human versions of Superman we’ve ever seen. They also debate Guy Gardner’s scene-stealing turn, Lex Luthor’s layered villainy, the potential setup for Bizarro, and what it all means for the future of the DC Universe. This one’s packed, passionate, and full of geeky joy. Timestamps and Topics: ...

info_outline
Ironheart Breakdown, Top 100 Movie Hits and Misses, and much more! show art Ironheart Breakdown, Top 100 Movie Hits and Misses, and much more!

Geek Freaks

Episode Summary: This week on Geek Freaks, Frank, Thomas, and Jonathan unpack Marvel’s Ironheart—what works, what doesn’t, and why it feels like a throwback to the Chapek-era MCU. We also dig into the next James Bond casting rumors and the newly announced director Denis Villeneuve, reflect on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 35th anniversary return to theaters, and break down the New York Times Top 100 Movies list. What deserved to be included? What definitely didn’t? Let’s talk about it. Episode Highlights: Honest thoughts on Ironheart episodes 1–3 Why Project Hail Mary could...

info_outline
Marvel vs DC Gaming Showdown, Pixar’s Elio Review, Next James Bond Director, Star Trek's Future, and Jon Bernthal in Spider-Man show art Marvel vs DC Gaming Showdown, Pixar’s Elio Review, Next James Bond Director, Star Trek's Future, and Jon Bernthal in Spider-Man

Geek Freaks

Frank, Jonathan, and Squeaks explore why Marvel continues to dominate over DC in the video game industry and discuss potential strategies for DC’s gaming revival. Frank gives an insightful review of Pixar’s Elio, highlighting its originality and emotional storytelling. The hosts also debate the ideal director for the next James Bond film, speculate on the future of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, and analyze Jon Bernthal’s return as Punisher in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. Plus, catch some entertaining moments, including Squeaks' memorable appearance in a Donkey Kong onesie! Timestamps and...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

In this special bonus episode of Geek Freaks, Frank is joined by acclaimed comic book writer Aubrey Sitterson to explore the radical, sci-fi world of Free Planet, his new series from Image Comics. Known for his bold storytelling and politically rich narratives, Aubrey takes us deep into the philosophical core of Free Planet, unpacking its themes of revolution, freedom, and the cost of building a better world. With deep dives into the creative process, the influence of history and anthropology, and the collaboration with artist Jed Dougherty, this episode is packed with insight and fire.

Timestamps and Topics:

  • 00:00 – Intro: Why this bonus episode matters

  • 00:19 – Who is Aubrey Sitterson? Background and work

  • 01:03 – The concept behind Free Planet

  • 02:08 – Revolution, history, and political roots

  • 04:30 – Defining real freedom and post-war challenges

  • 07:53 – Layouts, spreads, and comic as object

  • 09:46 – Balancing personal drama with large-scale politics

  • 12:30 – Research-driven worldbuilding over aesthetics

  • 18:06 – Interpersonal conflict as a reflection of ideology

  • 22:34 – Creative process with Jed Dougherty

  • 25:54 – Lettering innovations and character voice

  • 28:01 – The unreliable narrator and historical context

  • 34:11 – Print vs digital: Why Free Planet demands paper

  • 43:01 – Final reflections and what’s next

Key Takeaways:

  • Aubrey Sitterson uses Free Planet to challenge conventional ideas of freedom and revolution.

  • The comic is deeply researched, pulling from real-world political and cultural movements.

  • Free Planet is built as a print-first experience, with double-page spreads, maps, and dense visual storytelling.

  • The creative team—Jed Dougherty, Taylor Esposito, and Vittorio Astone—elevate the book’s layered vision.

  • The book includes in-world historical commentary that questions neutrality and narrative control.

  • Sitterson aims to create work that demands attention and resists passive reading.

Quotes:

  • “The only freedom worth having is the freedom you fight for.” – Aubrey Sitterson

  • “We made Free Planet for people who want to sit with something and really think.” – Aubrey

  • “Talon’s fan reaction was so strong, I had to restructure the story just to give him more space.” – Aubrey

  • “There’s a difference between mimicking aesthetics and actually building something from the same roots.” – Aubrey

Call to Action:
Love these kinds of deep-dive interviews? Subscribe to Geek Freaks, leave a review, and share this episode using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Bonus episodes like this are just one of the many ways we celebrate creators and storytellers in geek culture.

Links and Resources:

Follow Us:

Listener Questions:
Got a favorite indie comic or creator you think we should feature? Let us know on social or at GeekFreaksPodcast.com!

Apple Podcast Tags:
comics, sci-fi comics, Free Planet, Aubrey Sitterson, Image Comics, political comics, comic book creators, independent comics, comic interviews, revolutionary stories, space opera, speculative fiction, graphic novels, comic book podcast