Geek Freaks

Marvel, Star Wars, and Gaming News: Deep Dives & Exclusive Interviews Welcome to Geek Freaks—your ultimate weekly briefing on pop culture, gaming, and fandom news. We cut through the noise with fast-paced recaps, spoiler reviews, and deep-dive breakdowns across the MCU, Star Wars, Nintendo, PlayStation, and DC. Featuring expert analysis and exclusive interviews with industry creators and voice icons—like Lenore Zann (Rogue in X-Men '97)—Geek Freaks keeps you ahead of the curve on everything geek. Hit follow to join the Freak Nation, and visit GeekFreaksPodcast.com for more.

Vision Quest Prep, A Doom Theory, Xbox Goes Hollywood, and LA Comic Con’s CEO 10/13/2026

Vision Quest Prep, A Doom Theory, Xbox Goes Hollywood, and LA Comic Con’s CEO Episode Summary Vision Quest premieres today, and we're getting you ready with a full primer on Vision's MCU story, from Age of Ultron and his death at the hands of Thanos to the White Vision who flew off at the end of WandaVision. Then Thomas and Frank sit down with Chris DeMoulin, CEO of LA Comic Con, to talk about how the biggest convention in Los Angeles gets built every year. Squeaks and Thomas join Frank to break down what the Vision Quest trailers have already given away, why Ultron living in the "basement" of Vision's mind could drive the whole season, whether Billy and Tommy are being set up for a Young Avengers team, and one wild theory connecting Wanda to Doctor Doom's three witches. In Headlines, the crew reacts to the NYCC announcements for Marvel Zodiac and DC's Absolute Justice, Avatar: Seven Havens getting renewed through Book Four, a comedy series about a young Avatar Kuruk, and Xbox launching its own film and TV studio. Chris shares why he put the LA Comic Con main stage in the middle of the show floor, what it took to land first-time convention guests like Bob Odenkirk, and why 350 fans now own a piece of the show. Chapters 0:00 Intro and Catch-Up 1:37 Vision's MCU Story So Far 9:03 Vision Quest Hype Check and Predictions 17:36 Wild Theory: Wanda, Doom, and the Three Witches 19:28 Headlines: Marvel Zodiac, Absolute Justice, Avatar, and Xbox's New Studio 34:32 Interview: LA Comic Con CEO Chris DeMoulin 48:07 Network Roundup and Patreon Shout-Out 50:14 Picks of the Week Key Takeaways Vision Quest's first episode is titled "No Strings," a nod to Ultron's song from Age of Ultron, and Ultron appears to be locked deep inside Vision's mind, setting up a power struggle for control of the body. Frank thinks the moment Vision does something irrational to protect Tommy will be the moment his inherited memories finally connect to real emotion. Marvel Zodiac looks like a grounded spy series with Secret Warriors roots, and the Scorpio connection could bring in Nick Fury's brother as a future successor to Samuel L. Jackson's Fury. Absolute Justice brings DC's Absolute universe together in five issues starting April 2027, written by Jason Aaron, with no tie-ins required. Xbox's new studio will handle the Call of Duty movie, a Diablo series, and Fallout Season 3, and Squeaks sees it growing into a fan event in the style of BlizzCon. Chris DeMoulin starts booking talent up to two years ahead, works from yearly fan surveys, and keeps adding panelists right up until the week of the show. Pull Quotes "Just slap Spider-Man up somewhere. You don't need to show me. We're gonna go see it." (Squeaks, on trailers that give away too much) "I think he's a brutally underappreciated villain that I would argue is just below Doctor Doom in importance." (Frank, on Ultron) "If this Vision dies, then all of Ultron dies." (Thomas, on why Ultron might protect Vision) "A fan show has to be about the fans." (Chris DeMoulin, CEO of LA Comic Con) "We want you to come and be a fan, but we also want you to feel like it's your show." (Chris DeMoulin, on the 350 fans who invested in LA Comic Con) Sources All news discussed on this episode comes from GeekFreaksPodcast.com. Subscribe and Share If you're watching Vision Quest this week, subscribe so you catch our episode-by-episode reactions on YouTube, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Share this one with the friend who still hasn't gotten over what Thanos did to Vision. #GeekFreaksPodcast The full Chris DeMoulin interview is available now on YouTube and on the GFI (Geek Freaks Interviews) feed wherever you get podcasts. Follow Us Website: GeekFreaksPodcast.com Instagram: @GeekFreaksPodcast TikTok: @GeekFreaksPodcast Twitter: @GeekFreaksPod Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Listener Questions What's your Vision Quest prediction? Tell us whether you think Wanda shows up, who the end-of-season cameo will be, or which Xbox franchise deserves a movie next. Send us your questions, reactions, and topic ideas on any of our socials, and we might read them on a future episode. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/43281988

Lanterns Season 1 Review and the Finale That Saved It 10/06/2026

Lanterns Season 1 Review and the Finale That Saved It Frank and Thomas break down the full first season of HBO's Lanterns the night after the finale, from John Stewart's new oath to Hal Jordan's "I love you, Junior" goodbye. Frank had the season sitting at a six until the last episode pulled it up to a strong eight. The conversation keeps splitting along one line: how the show plays for a comic reader versus someone who only knows the DCU on screen. That split shapes the read on John embracing fear, the lantern that looked more yellow than green, his choice to let Noah live, and a villain lineup that gave Sinestro too little screen time and Antaan almost nothing to do. The back half looks ahead to Man of Tomorrow, what a second season should be about, and the questions about Hal and Sheriff Kerry Kane the finale left open. Full spoilers start at 11:12. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Housekeeping and the John Stewart Patreon Statue 01:53 Finale Gut Reactions and Season Scores 11:12 John Stewart as the Cowboy Green Lantern (Full Spoilers) 17:22 The Yellow Lantern Tease and the Noah Decision 26:23 John's Family and the Hal Jordan Goodbye 39:53 Where the Villains Fell Short 46:29 Lanterns in Man of Tomorrow and Season 2 49:57 Final Thoughts 55:44 Side Quest and Patreon Shout-Out Key Takeaways The finale changed Frank's score for the whole season. Knowing where the story lands made earlier weak spots, like the limited Sinestro time, play as setup. John's new oath includes "I embrace fear." To a comic reader that sounds like Parallax. Taken on its own, it gives the Green Lanterns the thing Frank and Thomas said they were missing back in their episode one review: admitting fear exists and overcoming it. Frank compares the repaired lantern to kintsugi, the Japanese practice of mending broken pottery with gold, as a way to read the yellow in it as a flaw being honored. Sparing Noah is the choice that sells John as a superhero. He takes on the risk of a young Manhunter and commits to becoming strong enough to stop him if it comes to that. The villains were the weakest part of the season. Zoe is gone by the midpoint, Antaan's crew never returns, and Ulrich Thomsen's Sinestro needed more scenes. For Man of Tomorrow, Frank wants John in a role as active as Mister Terrific's in Superman, plus a clear signal of what Lanterns season two is about. Quotes "This John Stewart is a superhero. He's not a cop." (Frank) "Before that finale, I had the season sitting closer to a six. With that, I have it at a strong eight." (Frank) "Antaan. What a waste of a character." (Frank) "They've left us wanting a little bit more than they should have." (Frank) "If it wasn't for this ending, it would have been an unsatisfactory show, no doubt." (Frank) Links and Resources GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the source of all news discussed during the podcast. Call to Action Follow or subscribe to Geek Freaks wherever you listen, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so more DC fans can find the show. If you have a friend who was sure that lantern was turning yellow, send them this episode and tag your reaction with #GeekFreaksPodcast. Follow Us Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Instagram and TikTok: @GeekFreaksPodcast Twitter: @GeekFreaksPod Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Listener Questions Did you watch Lanterns without reading a single Green Lantern comic? Frank and Thomas want to know how the season played for you, since neither of them can watch it that way. Send your take, your season two theories, or a topic you want covered on a future episode. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/43193448

Endgame's New Ending, Danny Trejo's Year of the Devil, and Mark Hamill's Darkwing Duck 09/24/2026

Endgame's New Ending, Danny Trejo's Year of the Devil, and Mark Hamill's Darkwing Duck Episode Summary Avengers: Endgame is back in theaters with a new ending, and it puts Loki on Steve Rogers and Peggy Carter's doorstep as the MCU's answer to Doctor Doom. Frank breaks down the leaked Encore Edition scenes, then sits down with Keith Arem and Chris Yates, the writers behind Danny Trejo's cursed-conquistador comic Year of the Devil. The Encore leaks include a TVA post-credit scene where incursions multiply into the thousands and a visit from Doom to Bruce Banner's underground lab, and Frank lays out what they mean for Avengers: Doomsday on December 18. In the interview, Keith explains how Danny stopped a recording session to pitch a book they could make together, and the pair talk about building Diego de Rojas from Danny's tattoos, his grindhouse roles, and his love of history. In Headlines, Mark Hamill replaces Jim Cummings as Darkwing Duck, Paramount settles with 12 state attorneys general over its Warner Bros. Discovery merger, Daredevil: Born Again ends with season 3, Alan Ritchson is in talks to replace Jason Momoa in Helldivers, and Brad Pitt returns for World War Z 2. Frank closes with a personal message for Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:10 Avengers: Endgame Encore Leaks and the Road to Doomsday 07:58 Interview: Keith Arem and Chris Yates on Danny Trejo's Year of the Devil 19:55 Headlines: Mark Hamill Is the New Darkwing Duck 24:38 Paramount's Settlement Terms for the Warner Bros. Discovery Deal 30:02 Daredevil: Born Again Ends With Season 3 35:01 Helldivers Recasting and World War Z 2 39:01 Network Updates 40:40 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Key Takeaways The leaked Encore ending positions Loki, now the god of stories, as the counterweight to Doctor Doom heading into Doomsday. The TVA post-credit scene shows incursions spreading from one to thousands, which Frank reads as the setup for Secret Wars. Year of the Devil follows Diego de Rojas, a conquistador who frees the devil from a prison beneath Chichén Itzá and is cursed to hunt the Four Horsemen across 500 years. It's a five-issue prestige series from PCB Entertainment launching September 29. Frank thinks Mark Hamill brings clout to the Darkwing Duck reboot, but a younger lead would have given the series a longer runway. Paramount's settlement requires 30 theatrical films a year, a $1.5 billion investment in California productions, and keeping both historic studio lots open. Frank opposes the merger but calls these terms the best-case version of it. With Born Again ending, Frank pitches three ways forward for Charlie Cox's Daredevil: a Daredevil: Yellow adaptation, a Defenders-style series with a rotating street-level cast, or a yearly special presentation. Memorable Quotes "Loki vs. Doctor Doom, which is a sentence that just screams awesome comic book to me." (Frank Lourence) "We felt like it had to have some dirt under the fingernails." (Chris Yates, on Year of the Devil) "He just kind of literally stopped in the middle of a session and he was like, I want to do a book with you." (Keith Arem, on Danny Trejo) "Number one is jobs. Number two is creativity." (Frank Lourence, on the Paramount and WBD merger) "It's not about blowing up aliens and fighting for democracy. It is about the satire of that." (Frank Lourence, on the Helldivers movie) Sources All news discussed on this episode is sourced from GeekFreaksPodcast.com. Support the Show Follow Geek Freaks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and leave a five-star review. Frank will shout out new reviewers on next week's episode. If you know a Darkwing Duck fan with opinions about Mark Hamill in the cape, send them this episode. #GeekFreaksPodcast Need Support? If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or visit 988lifeline.org. Follow Geek Freaks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@geekfreakspodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeekFreaksPod Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Listener Questions Is Loki the right hero to stand against Doom, and what should Marvel do with Daredevil after Born Again? Send your answers, questions, and topic ideas to [email protected] or DM us on any of the socials above. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/43017623

BlizzCon 2026 | World of Warcraft Forever, Diablo 5, and a StarCraft Set for 2030 09/17/2026

BlizzCon 2026 | World of Warcraft Forever, Diablo 5, and a StarCraft Set for 2030 BlizzCon 2026 handed out a StarCraft open world shooter that does not land until 2030, a Diablo 5 release window in spring 2029, and a plan to turn World of Warcraft Classic into something called World of Warcraft Forever. Frank and Squeaks were both on the floor for all of it, and they came back with announcement reactions, three hour lines, a Todd McFarlane signature, and Matt Mercer running an Overwatch tabletop game in front of 8,000 people. The Warcraft talk takes up most of the hour, and for good reason. World of Warcraft Forever adds new races, new zones, dungeons and raids to the Classic version of Azeroth, including undead paladins for the Horde, with a beta starting next Thursday ahead of a November 4 launch. Frank played the five man dungeon demo on the show floor and came out talking about how much real communication a slower pace forces back into a group, while Squeaks, who has never touched Classic, walked away planning a warlock. On the retail side, the Eclipse patch and the language Blizzard kept using about closing out twenty years of story push the two of them into a long argument about whether the next expansion ends World of Warcraft and starts World of Warcraft 2 on a modern engine. Elsewhere: Diablo 4 gets Hell's Legacy with Deckard Cain back as the storyteller, a Diablo animated series is coming to Netflix with Overwatch and Warcraft adaptations teased behind it, Overwatch introduces a vampire healer whose backstory and voice were built around the actor playing him, and Wrath of the Lich King Remix only got revealed if you sat through the deep dive panel. The crowd is the one sore spot, with Frank putting attendance near 75,000 against the 40,000 to 50,000 of past years and both hosts stuck in two and three hour lines for the store and the Darkmoon Faire. 0:00 Intro and BlizzCon 2026 First Impressions 3:36 Meeting Todd McFarlane and Watching Matt Mercer Run Overwatch 6:08 Oversold Crowds, Three Hour Lines, and a Dry BlizzCon 10:06 StarCraft Returns as an Open World Shooter 14:22 Diablo 5 in 2029, Hell's Legacy, and Deckard Cain 19:52 The Diablo Animated Series on Netflix 21:28 World of Warcraft Forever and the Classic Overhaul 29:07 Eclipse, the Titans, and the Case for World of Warcraft 2 38:12 Overwatch's Newest Hero and the Wrath Remix Reveal 41:31 Final Day Highlights, T-Pain, and the Arena Championship 48:37 Recommendations, the Patreon Statue Vote, and the Forever Guild Key takeaways World of Warcraft Forever launches November 4 with a beta starting next Thursday, adding new races, zones, dungeons and raids to Classic, plus undead paladins for the Horde. StarCraft is back as an open world shooter set 100 years after StarCraft 2, but the 2030 date landed hard in the room, and both hosts worry about a Warhammer style game with no Protoss or Zerg to play. Diablo 5 arrives spring 2029, with Hell's Legacy bridging the gap in Diablo 4 and Deckard Cain returning to bring old bosses back for another fight. The Diablo animated series at Netflix is the adaptation Frank is most confident in, with Castlevania and Cyberpunk Edgerunners as the track record, and Overwatch and Warcraft projects teased after it. Blizzard's repeated framing about the culmination of twenty years has both hosts betting the next expansion closes the current story, with Frank arguing a true sequel is the only way past a 2004 engine. Attendance was the weekend's biggest problem, with two hour waits just to enter the convention center on Saturday and three hour waits for the store and the Darkmoon Faire. "When they put that 2030 on the screen, the air went out of the room." - Frank "I got to meet my dream comic book creator. I could be gone tomorrow and I would feel like life was fulfilled." - Squeaks, on meeting Todd McFarlane "That kind of communication is peak Warcraft, and that stuff is not said in World of Warcraft today." - Frank, on the Forever dungeon demo "We are reaching the limits of what this engine can do." - Frank, on why he thinks World of Warcraft 2 has to happen "There is a blood knight in Diablo Immortal and I love the hell out of it. I named him Squeaks Belmont." - Squeaks Every story covered in this episode comes from GeekFreaksPodcast.com, the source for all news discussed on the show. If you have not subscribed yet, do it on Apple Podcasts or Spotify so the next one shows up automatically, and leave a rating or review while you are there. Send this episode to the friend who quit World of Warcraft back in Cataclysm, because Forever is aimed directly at them. #GeekFreaksPodcast Follow us: Instagram: @GeekFreaksPodcast TikTok: @GeekFreaksPodcast Twitter: @GeekFreaksPod Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Got a BlizzCon take we missed, a WoW Forever class you are locking in, or a prediction about World of Warcraft 2? Send us your questions, reactions, and topic ideas, and we will get to them on a future episode. We are also forming a guild for World of Warcraft Forever in both Classic and retail, so reach out if you want in. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/42943048

Avengers Doomsday Improv Panic, a Darkwing Duck Recast, and a Samurai Redneck Zombie Killer 09/08/2026

Avengers Doomsday Improv Panic, a Darkwing Duck Recast, and a Samurai Redneck Zombie Killer Dungeons & Dragons 2 has a finished script, and the studio that made the first one already passed on it. Avengers Doomsday is deep in edits, the Russo brothers just called their script a living organism, and everyone lost their minds about it. Squeaks opens the show with a full report from the Pokémon World Championships in San Francisco, where the Moscone Center got taken over by TCG, Pokémon Go, Unite, and the new Pokémon Champions app, and where buying a single piece of exclusive merch turned into a timed-entry website that crashed on everybody. Then Allen Dunford joins Frank to talk about The Samurai Redneck Zombie Killer #1, the Comic Soup book he co-wrote with Kit Wallis that funded its previous record in a single day. Allen gets into the grindhouse and manga influences, why the story stays locked on two survivors instead of a community, and the Geek Freaks variant cover on the Kickstarter. Frank closes with the first News Quickfire, a tighter news segment built on listener feedback. The news run covers D&D 2's script and where the project could land, Netflix developing a live action Ravenloft while Forgotten Realms gets canceled, HBO's Baldur's Gate series with Craig Mazin, the real reasons Honor Among Thieves underperformed, the Avengers Doomsday improv conversation, Jim Cummings losing Darkwing Duck to a recast, and a full status check on Gargoyles, Hey Arnold, Doug, and the 90s reboot slate. Chapters 0:00 Intro: Patreon Upgrades, SideQuest Relaunch, and Show Changes 1:34 Squeaks at Pokémon Worlds: Moscone Center, Pokémon XP, and the Tournaments 5:21 The Merch Problem: Pokémon Center Lines, Resellers, and Scalpers 10:12 Guest: Allen Dunford on The Samurai Redneck Zombie Killer 21:37 Seven Years Indie, the Comic Soup Slate, and the Geek Freaks Variant 27:30 News Quickfire: D&D 2's Finished Script, Ravenloft, and Baldur's Gate 34:14 Avengers Doomsday, the Russos, and the Improv Panic 40:52 Darkwing Duck Recasts Jim Cummings, Plus the 90s Reboot Roundup 48:10 Wrap-Up and Listener Feedback Key Takeaways Pokémon Worlds was an incredible event wrapped around a broken buying experience. The Pokémon Center on site required a timed booking through a site that crashed, the second merch area turned out to be reseller tables selling singles for hundreds, and Squeaks walked out having spent twenty dollars and bought his Worlds backpack online later at roughly four times the price. Next year's Worlds moves to Singapore, so US fans have no idea when it comes back. The Samurai Redneck Zombie Killer started as a title and a cover. Kit Wallis brought Allen the name and the first five pages, posted the cover to Instagram, and the response was so far outside his normal engagement that they fast tracked the whole book. It beat Comic Soup's previous best campaign total in a single day. Allen and Kit built the book around two people instead of a community, borrowing the Leon and Mathilda dynamic from The Professional, right down to naming the samurai Lee. The art uses a manga inspired color scheme with the first five pages in full color before shifting to black, white, and splashes of red. Paramount Skydance passed on Dungeons & Dragons 2 as financially unviable, but Hasbro is shopping it. Honor Among Thieves earned around $205 million on a roughly $150 million budget split with Hasbro's E1, opened four days before The Super Mario Bros. Movie, landed a month after the OGL boycott, and never told non fans it was a family comedy. The Avengers Doomsday improv worry is overblown. The Russos worked the same way on Infinity War and Endgame, their visual reference is Once Upon a Time in the West, and Robert Downey Jr. said he would not have come back without them. Improv on a movie this size gets spent on one on one character scenes, not on Sentinels and VFX plates. Jim Cummings and Terry McGovern are both being recast in the Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg Darkwing Duck reboot, seven years after Cummings recorded the pilot that got it greenlit. The 2017 DuckTales storyline he voiced was about an actor destroyed by a Darkwing Duck recast. Gargoyles' live action version is dead but the animated one is alive, Hey Arnold is in conversations, an adult Doug has concept art out, and King of the Hill is the template everyone is pointing to. Quotes "Twenty bucks, because it was a horrible experience when it comes to purchasing anything." - Squeaks "It is a black mark on the Pokémon brand right now." - Frank "He had the title already. It does what it says on the label." - Allen Dunford "We're not focusing on a community. We're just focusing on two people trying to survive this thing." - Allen Dunford "In the indie sphere, you're not just the writer. The book doesn't stop at the script." - Allen Dunford "Improv works better when it's scaled down. It doesn't work super well when it scales up." - Frank All news discussed on this episode comes from GeekFreaksPodcast.com. If the Darkwing Duck recast or the D&D 2 situation got you fired up, send this episode to the friend who is going to have the loudest opinion about it. Follow Geek Freaks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so new episodes land automatically, and leave a rating or review while you are there. It genuinely moves the needle for an independent show. #GeekFreaksPodcast Follow us: Instagram: @GeekFreaksPodcast TikTok: @GeekFreaksPodcast Twitter: @GeekFreaksPod Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Website: GeekFreaksPodcast.com Frank asked for it directly on this one, so tell him how the shorter News Quickfire segment is landing. Send your questions, reactions, and topic ideas, and let us know what you want more of and less of going forward. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/42827380

Lanterns Asks the Wrong Question, GTA 6's Two Billion Dollar Reveal 09/02/2026

Lanterns Asks the Wrong Question, GTA 6's Two Billion Dollar Reveal Lanterns just aired the episode; showrunner Chris Mundy has been calling his Emmy episode, and Frank and Thomas spend the first half of the show pulling it apart. The John Stewart flashback rewrites his origin, leaves Hal Jordan looking like a jerk, and puts fear, race, and family expectation at the center of what it takes to carry a ring. Then the guys move to the GTA 6 gameplay reveal that Rockstar dropped on Netflix before YouTube. Ten years of development, a two billion dollar budget, an 80 hour campaign, and a map three times the size of Red Dead Redemption 2, plus relationship and fitness systems that quietly punish you for neglecting them. Frank and Thomas also read listener comments on the Lanterns episode, run through network news, compare notes on where they are in Dungeon Crawler Carl, and close with picks of the week. CHAPTERS 00:00 Which Avenger Would Make the Best Green Lantern 02:42 Lanterns Episode 3 and the John Stewart Origin 09:00 Willpower, Fear, and the Question the Show Keeps Asking Wrong 17:41 Listener Comments on the Lanterns Episode 24:18 GTA 6 Reveal: Two Billion Dollars, 80 Hours, and a Map Three Times Red Dead 2 30:09 Car Alarms, Surveillance, and 600,000 NPC Animations 34:25 Network News and Dungeon Crawler Carl Book Five 41:07 Picks of the Week: Geoff Johns Green Lantern and Dimension 20 WHAT WE COVER Both hosts rate the Lanterns flashback near perfect on writing and performances, and both admit it changed how they read Hal Jordan. Frank says the episode was not aimed at him, and that watching Black viewers respond to it told him more than the episode alone did. The show asks recruits whether they are afraid. The comics, going back to Geoff Johns' 2005 run, ask whether your will can overcome the fear you already have. Frank and Thomas think the show is asking the wrong version on purpose, and that the season is retelling the Rebirth era transition in a grounded way. Jonathan's theory, relayed by Frank: the Guardians are breeding the humanity out of their Lanterns, which is the exact mistake that produced the Manhunters. Thomas ties that to the wiping of sector 666 and to how detached the Guardians are from life on a planet like Earth. The show changed John's military discharge from honorable in the comics to dishonorable, a choice Thomas did not like even though he understands what it adds to the character. GTA 6 arrives November 19 after more than ten years and roughly two billion dollars. The campaign runs about 80 hours before side content, the map is three times the size of Red Dead Redemption 2, and NPC animations jump from 55,000 in GTA 5 to 300,000 in Red Dead 2 to 600,000 here. Rockstar kept the satire but avoided current politics, memes, and trends to keep the game evergreen, and stealing a car now means dealing with alarms, trackers, and block cameras. Geek Freaks is doing a dedicated GTA 6 episode at launch and streaming for charity for the first time since 2021. QUOTES "The question has never been, are you afraid. The question is, if you're afraid, can your will overcome that fear?" Thomas "He's pushed everything out of his life that could possibly give him fear. That doesn't mean he doesn't have it. It just means he's given himself less excuse." Thomas on Hal Jordan "They're trying to turn the Green Lanterns back into the Manhunters, no emotions, only listen to orders. But that's not what you actually want." Frank "GTA is going to teach us to be better people, which is not the game you'd expect that from." Frank "In the beginning it was all about being in your boxers and punching goblins, and now there's class warfare, corporations, sabotage and spying." Frank on Dungeon Crawler Carl SOURCE Every story covered on this episode comes from GeekFreaksPodcast.com, the source for all news discussed on the Geek Freaks Podcast. FOLLOW AND SUPPORT Follow Geek Freaks on Apple Podcasts and Spotify so new episodes land automatically, and leave a review if the Lanterns breakdown gave you something to argue with. Share the episode with the friend who would spend all night deciding which Avenger deserves a ring. #GeekFreaksPodcast Instagram and TikTok: @GeekFreaksPodcast Twitter: @GeekFreaksPod Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast TALK BACK Tell us which Avenger you would hand a Green Lantern ring to, whether you think Hal is lying about fear, and how much of your November you are giving up to GTA 6. Send questions, reactions, and topic ideas to [email protected] or drop them in the comments on any of our socials. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/42678275

Two Dooms, One Feige, and a Pirate Queen 08/26/2026

Two Dooms, One Feige, and a Pirate Queen The Avengers: Doomsday trailer has fans convinced there are two Doctor Dooms in this movie, and that one of them might not be Robert Downey Jr. at all. Frank and Squeaks break down the eye color, the two suits, and the Cillian Murphy voice theory, then look at what happens to Marvel when Kevin Feige's contract runs out in 2027. From there it turns into a full state of the franchises. The Feige succession list runs from Brad Winderbaum to Louis D'Esposito to one genuine wild card pick, before Star Wars gets put on the table: the Ahsoka trailer, Thrawn's return, Starfighter, and whether the Rey movie ever actually happens. Then Pirates of the Caribbean, where Disney is reportedly writing two competing scripts, and Frank pitches the real seventeenth century pirate queen whose story would beat both of them. Plus a Dungeon Crawler Carl check-in and a Question of the Week about how you would prove someone is an alien. 0:00 Intro and BlizzCon Countdown 1:34 Question of the Week: How Do You Test for an Alien 3:16 The Two Doctor Dooms Theory 11:05 Who Replaces Kevin Feige in 2027 22:36 Star Wars Without the Skywalker Name 29:33 Ahsoka, Thrawn, and the Sequel Era Gaps 34:15 Pirates of the Caribbean and Its Two Competing Scripts 46:22 Dungeon Crawler Carl Check-In Key takeaways: The two Doom theory rests on three small trailer details: the eyes reading green in one shot and closer to blue in another, two distinct suits, and a voice some fans think sounds more like Cillian Murphy than RDJ. There is precedent too, since dueling Dooms from different universes is the current main story in Marvel Rivals. Frank's argument for a recast is about longevity. RDJ's betrayal only works once as a surprise, so if Doom is meant to carry the MCU past Secret Wars, you need an actor you can keep around. The Feige succession shortlist: Brad Winderbaum brings television experience and would likely greenlight Midnight Sons immediately, Louis D'Esposito is the operations veteran who would need a creative partner like the Russos, and Frank's wild card is Iman Vellani, who is now writing comics for Marvel and Image. Both hosts want Star Wars to break from the Skywalker name completely, with Dave Filoni doing for the sequels what The Clone Wars did for the prequels. Frank also makes the case that Ahsoka, not Rey, is the real heir to the Anakin lineage. Disney has two Pirates scripts in play, one led by Margot Robbie as Red and one featuring younger versions of the original cast. Squeaks calls the Red version predictable, and Frank counters with Zheng Yi Sao, a real pirate commander the Chinese government eventually had to negotiate with instead of fight. Frank: "I'd actually respect Marvel for keeping a secret for once." Frank: "I've been hurt too many times by Kevin Feige." Squeaks: "It's time to go away from the Skywalker in total." Frank: "The true descendant to Anakin is not Rey. It's not even Luke. Frankly, it is Ahsoka." Squeaks: "That's the same thing we see everywhere. Find something new." All news discussed on this episode comes from GeekFreaksPodcast.com. If you have a theory about which Doom is the real one, follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and leave a review so more people find these breakdowns. Share this one with the friend who still thinks RDJ is playing both of them. #GeekFreaksPodcast Follow Geek Freaks: Instagram: @GeekFreaksPodcast TikTok: @GeekFreaksPodcast Twitter: @GeekFreaksPod Threads: Facebook: Patreon: YouTube: Geek Freaks Podcast Got a question, a counter theory, or a topic you want covered? Send it in and it may end up on a future episode. We want to hear who you would put in charge of Marvel after Feige, and whether you would actually watch a Zheng Yi Sao pirate movie. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/42559245

Avengers Doomsday Trailer Breakdown, the New X-Men Cast, and the Lanterns Premiere 08/18/2026

Avengers Doomsday Trailer Breakdown, the New X-Men Cast, and the Lanterns Premiere Marvel finally put the MCU X-Men cast on stage at D23, and Adam Driver as Mister Sinister might not even be the most interesting name on the list. Frank and Thomas break down the new Avengers: Doomsday trailer, the full X-Men lineup, the X-Men '97 season 2 finale, and the Lanterns premiere on HBO. The Doomsday conversation starts where most fan reactions did, with Robert Downey Jr.'s voice under the Doom mask, and moves into power scaling against Thor, the Reed and Victor history the trailer is quietly setting up, and which legacy characters are unlikely to survive December 18. From there it's the casting reveals: Christopher Abbott as a much younger Professor X, a Magneto without the Holocaust backstory, Inde Navarrette stepping into a role Lenore Zann has owned for three decades, and Maya Boyd going from Broadway to Storm with no screen credits at all. The back half turns critical. X-Men '97 season 2 lands an 8 out of 10 from both hosts, with a long argument about why the resurrection plotting undercut Nightcrawler's sacrifice and why the middle stretch never matched the Egypt episodes. Then it's full spoilers on Lanterns, including the ending, the Watchmen and True Detective fingerprints all over it, and predictions about the 2016 timeline and where Guy Gardner fits. 0:00 December 18 plans, Dune vs. Avengers Doomsday 2:20 Avengers Doomsday trailer, Doom's voice and power scaling 9:15 The MCU X-Men cast reveal from D23 22:50 Vision Quest first look and the case for bringing Ultron back 26:23 Star Wars Starfighter and the rest of the D23 slate 27:55 X-Men '97 season 2 finale review and grades 38:41 Lanterns series premiere, full spoilers 55:33 Weekly recommendations Key takeaways The Doomsday trailer sold Doom as a real successor to Thanos, largely on the strength of one shot stopping Stormbreaker and throwing Thor back. Marvel is casting the X-Men young on purpose. Magneto reportedly loses the Holocaust background entirely because of it, which Thomas calls pivotal enough to worry about. Inde Navarrette reads as an early, guarded Rogue rather than the fully powered version from the comics or X-Men '97, and the real question is how she sounds next to Lenore Zann's voice. Adam Driver as Mister Sinister lines up with the gene manipulation groundwork already laid in Spider-Man: Brand New Day. X-Men '97 season 2 gets an 8 from both hosts. The voice work, especially A.J. LoCascio's shift once Gambit takes back control, holds up even where the pacing does not. Lanterns plays like prestige HBO rather than DCU house style, and its best material is the pilot's first five minutes and the jailhouse interrogation, not the constructs. Quotes "How many times can you kill Patrick Stewart?" (Thomas, on the Doomsday casualty list) "This one felt like, oh, all hands on deck." (Thomas, on the Doomsday trailer) "The idea of resurrecting somebody needs to feel impossible to you." (Frank, on X-Men '97 season 2) "There's this cognitive dissonance for me with this season." (Thomas, on grading X-Men '97) "Both these men are living false perspectives of what it means to be a hero." (Frank, on Hal and John in Lanterns) All news covered on this episode comes from GeekFreaksPodcast.com, including the full D23 announcement roundup and the footage that never got an official release. If this one was worth your commute, follow the show wherever you listen, leave a rating and a review, and send it to the friend who is still arguing that Adam Driver was wasted as Kylo Ren. Instagram and TikTok: @GeekFreaksPodcast Twitter: @GeekFreaksPod Threads: Facebook: Patreon: Got a question, a counterargument, or a topic you want covered? Send it in. Who do you think dies first in Doomsday, and does Lanterns hold the landing after that ending? Questions and reactions get read on air. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/42473020

House of the Dragon S3 Finale and Spider-Man: Brand New Day 08/11/2026

House of the Dragon S3 Finale and Spider-Man: Brand New Day House of the Dragon Season 3 ended with Sunfyre back from the dead and Rhaenyra executing the High Septon inside his own sept, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day gave the MCU its darkest Jean Grey yet. Frank, Thomas, and Jonathan break down both, plus the Marvel Hall H panel from San Diego Comic-Con and why Ghost Rider got announced with nothing behind it. On the House of the Dragon side: the Episode 7 resurrection that flipped the board, Helaena's tapestry and what it was quietly spoiling all along, where the show splits from Fire and Blood on her death, why Rhaenyra was never built to sit on a throne in the first place, and a final score for the season from each of them. Then a full spoiler conversation on Spider-Man: Brand New Day covering Sadie Sink's Jean Grey and the road to Dark Phoenix, the Hulk and the Punisher as mirrors for where Peter Parker could end up, the ending that made a handshake hit harder than a kiss, and whether Marvel has its footing back going into Doomsday, Secret Wars, and X-Men. Network news and picks of the week close it out. 00:00 Intro: Three Weeks Off, Alaska, and Missing Comic-Con 03:11 San Diego Comic-Con and the Marvel Hall H Fallout 05:53 Project Hail Mary Is the Movie of the Year 07:02 House of the Dragon Season 3: Rhaenyra's Turn and the Finale 18:53 Sunfyre, Helaena's Tapestry, and Book vs Show Changes 25:02 Season 3 Final Thoughts and Scores 28:00 Spider-Man: Brand New Day Spoiler Talk 33:00 Sadie Sink's Jean Grey and the Road to Dark Phoenix 41:02 What It Means for the MCU: Doomsday, Secret Wars, and X-Men 50:16 Network News and Picks of the Week All news discussed comes from GeekFreaksPodcast.com. Follow the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and leave a five star review if this one hit. Share it with someone still arguing about the House of the Dragon finale and tag us with #GeekFreaksPodcast. Instagram and TikTok: @GeekFreaksPodcast Threads: Twitter: @GeekFreaksPod Facebook: Patreon: Got a take on the finale, a theory about what Jean Grey becomes next, or a show you want covered? Send it in. We read listener questions and topic suggestions on air. Key Takeaways Rhaenyra spent three seasons trying to be her father and the finale is the moment she stops. Frank frames it as her Anakin-to-Vader turn, right down to killing the realm's holy man and walking back out to claim she is the savior. Episode 7 and the return of Sunfyre lands as the season's biggest swing. Jonathan calls it a genuine plot twist with no setup, and it resets who is actually holding power going into Season 4. Helaena's knitting was spoiling the show in plain sight. Her tapestry lays out everything she has seen, and nobody in the story looks at it until it is too late. Both Frank and Jonathan score Season 3 an eight, with the caveat that Episodes 4 through 6 drag badly. Thomas, who bailed on the season early, gets talked into going back and finishing it. Spider-Man: Brand New Day works as a character study more than a clean three-act movie. The guys argue it is structurally strange on purpose, closer to picking up a random issue mid-run than a typical MCU installment. Jean Grey's power set is used in a much more specific and much darker way than expected, which the guys read as deliberate setup for Professor X's mental blocks and the eventual Dark Phoenix story. Quotes "She's now in her Darth Vader era." (Frank) "She was never meant to actually sit on the Iron Throne. She was always meant to capture it." (Frank) "The dragon fire ripping through a city is going to kill the good and the bad alike. It's not justice. It's just suffering." (Jonathan) "So many parts of this shouldn't work. But it does." (Thomas, on Spider-Man: Brand New Day) "I can't believe how much relief I suddenly felt from a damn handshake." (Frank) Apple Podcast Tags House of the Dragon, House of the Dragon Season 3, House of the Dragon finale, Game of Thrones, HBO, Rhaenyra Targaryen, Sunfyre, Helaena Targaryen, Targaryen, Fire and Blood, Spider-Man, Spider-Man Brand New Day, Marvel, MCU, Tom Holland, Jean Grey, Sadie Sink, Dark Phoenix, X-Men, Punisher, Jon Bernthal, Avengers Doomsday, Secret Wars, San Diego Comic-Con, Hall H, Ghost Rider, Ryan Gosling, Project Hail Mary, The Long Walk, comic books, movie review, TV review, pop culture, geek culture /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/42392005

Good Mythical Morning Hits Netflix, Toxic Fandoms & Would Your D&D Character Survive Real Life? 07/31/2026

Good Mythical Morning Hits Netflix, Toxic Fandoms & Would Your D&D Character Survive Real Life? Frank and Jonathan are on vacation, so they dumped out a jar of ten random prompts and let the conversation run wherever it wanted. The result is a loose, funny grab-bag that swings from tabletop confessions to actual streaming news. They open by asking whether their D&D characters could survive a single day in the real world, which turns into a live rescue plan for Jonathan's volatile, faith-questioning gunslinger and a great story about the priest who quietly let a party member die. From there it is physical media versus streaming (with a Netflix boycott and a terabyte of movies packed for a cruise), the most toxic fandom corners (Pokemon card scalping, weighed packs, and Star Wars media literacy), the games everyone owns but never finishes, retro comebacks worth reviving, and the classics they think are a little overrated. The back half gets newsier with Good Mythical Morning heading to Netflix as a daily show, a debate about Emmy legitimacy versus chasing a new algorithm, and a closing round on which fictional universe would actually be miserable to live in. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Intro and Vacation Filler Setup 00:24 Would Your D&D Character Survive Real Life? 07:03 Physical Media vs. Streaming 10:32 The Most Toxic Fandom Corners 17:11 Games You Own but Never Finished, Plus Retro Comebacks 22:05 Overrated Classics and Villain Redemption Arcs 27:07 Casting the D&D Campaign 29:11 Good Mythical Morning Heads to Netflix 34:36 The Fictional Universe That Would Actually Suck Key Takeaways Instead of retiring a chaotic character, Frank pitches turning Jonathan's crisis-of-faith gunslinger into someone actively fighting a chaos god, a reminder that a table can repair a character rather than shelve it. The physical media conversation lands on owning your favorites, fueled by climbing Netflix prices, Christmas movies that vanish from streaming, and a stack of downloads big enough to survive a stranded cruise ship. Pokemon card culture gets named the most toxic fandom corner, from pack-weighing and resale fights to Target reportedly cutting boxes open to kill the scalper market. Media literacy is the throughline for the Star Wars and Dungeon Crawler Carl "too woke" complaints, since both were anti-fascist and anti-capitalist from the start. Gaming talk hits the Oblivion remaster, cautious hope for Elder Scrolls VI amid Xbox layoffs and Bethesda leaning on proven IP, and one very honest Elden Ring skill check. Good Mythical Morning moving to Netflix drives the biggest debate: fresh cash and Emmy legitimacy on one side, the risk of chasing a new algorithm and turning away from YouTube on the other. Quotes "If you think it's too woke, it's been that way from the beginning." "We have to make our point with our wallet." "I return and tell him he was already dead." "I got my ass handed to me so hard I returned it within two hours." "Don't turn your back on YouTube after you literally built your success." Call to Action If you had fun with this one, subscribe so you never miss an episode, leave a rating and review to help new listeners find the show, and share it with a friend who would have strong opinions about Pokemon card scalpers. Tag us and use #GeekFreaksPodcast when you post about it. Links and Resources All news discussed on the show comes from GeekFreaksPodcast.com. Head there for the full write-ups on everything covered in this episode. Follow Us Facebook: Threads: Patreon: Frank: @franklourence79 Listener Questions Got a hot take, a reaction, or a topic you want us to draw next time? Send us your questions, arguments, and future episode ideas. We read them, and the best ones make it onto the show. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/42278700

The Batman 2 Delayed to 2028, God of War Recast, and Director Stephanie Hubbard on "A Fairy Tale" 07/21/2026

The Batman 2 Delayed to 2028, God of War Recast, and Director Stephanie Hubbard on "A Fairy Tale" The Batman fans, brace yourselves: Part II just slid all the way to February 2028, and the guys have thoughts on whether it should even happen. Before Frank ships out for a two-week cruise, he and Jonathan clear the week's biggest geek headlines, from a live-action Princess Tiana penned by Colman Domingo, to a major God of War series recast, to Steve Buscemi joining the Far Cry show and a quick DC and Marvel roundup covering Blue Beetle, Supergirl, and Nova. Then the episode shifts gears for a standout interview with writer and director Stephanie Hubbard, the creative force behind the new fantasy comedy A Fairy Tale. She breaks down her leap from hairstylist to filmmaker, how Pure Magic Pictures built a fully connected nine-film universe on indie budgets, the real trading card game (Dino Guru) her cast learned to play on set, and why a thriving Discord community beats chasing Netflix. It is a genuinely fun look at building fandom from the ground up. Timestamps and Topics 0:00 Intro and Frank's Vacation Catch-Up 1:01 Colman Domingo's Live-Action Princess Tiana 6:08 God of War Series Recasts Kratos 10:27 Far Cry Series Adds Steve Buscemi 16:05 The Batman Part II Delayed to 2028 23:18 DC and Marvel Roundup: Blue Beetle, Supergirl, Nova 33:11 Guest Interview: Stephanie Hubbard on "A Fairy Tale" 1:07:46 Weekly Picks and Wrap-Up Key Takeaways The Batman Part II is delayed to February 18, 2028, and the hosts debate whether the six-year gap makes the sequel worth finishing at all, especially with a separate DCU Batman on the way. The God of War series is recasting Kratos after actor Ryan Hurst suffered a torn bicep. With two seasons filming back to back, four already-shot episodes will need a full reshoot. Colman Domingo is writing a live-action Princess Tiana that tells a new New Orleans story rather than remaking The Princess and the Frog, which the guys see as a smarter path than the recent one-for-one remakes. Noah Hawley and Rob McElhenney's Far Cry series lands its first big villain casting in Steve Buscemi, with the hosts riffing on possible settings and story angles. Stephanie Hubbard's A Fairy Tale is the ninth feature in Pure Magic Pictures' fully connected cinematic universe, premiering July 23 at 7:30 PM Eastern, with the studio on track for four films in 2026. Pure Magic built real fan infrastructure around the movies: an actual trading card game (Dino Guru) the cast learned on set, a Discord community that names things like their coffee blend, and a heavy convention presence. Quotes "Not all fairies are good at their job." (Stephanie Hubbard, on the premise of A Fairy Tale) "When I try to be someone's savior, it doesn't go very well. I'm just a person." (Stephanie Hubbard, on the film's message) "No excuses. The cavalry isn't coming." (Stephanie Hubbard, on the Robert Rodriguez mindset that pushed her into filmmaking) "We make movies, but we're truly artists first, and this is our art." (Stephanie Hubbard, on community and creating) "Maybe in 30 years, we will make Time Pit." (Stephanie Hubbard, on the running in-universe reference in every Pure Magic film) Call to Action If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss a drop, leave a rating and review to help new listeners find the show, and share it with a fellow geek on social using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Links and Resources GeekFreaksPodcast.com, the source for all the news discussed in this episode A Fairy Tale premieres July 23 at 7:30 PM Eastern through the Pure Magic Pictures season pass Follow Us Facebook: Threads: Patreon: Listener Questions Got a hot take on The Batman getting pushed to 2028, a dream Far Cry setting, or a question for a future guest? Send us your questions, reactions, and topic ideas. We love working listener picks into upcoming episodes. Geek culture, pop culture podcast, movie news, comic book news, The Batman, God of War, DC Universe, Marvel, Princess Tiana, Colman Domingo, indie film, filmmaking, Pure Magic Pictures, Stephanie Hubbard, A Fairy Tale, trading card games, Far Cry, Steve Buscemi, Robert Pattinson, Blue Beetle, Supergirl, Nova, nerd podcast, fandom /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/42152445

Dune Part 3 Trailer Breakdown, Naruto Live-Action Movie, and the Nightmare on Elm Street Reboot 07/14/2026

Dune Part 3 Trailer Breakdown, Naruto Live-Action Movie, and the Nightmare on Elm Street Reboot Dune Part Three just dropped its IMAX trailer, Naruto is finally getting a big-budget live-action movie, and Freddy Krueger is coming back in a full Nightmare on Elm Street reboot. Frank and Squeaks break down a stacked week of trailers, teasers, and franchise news to figure out which of these actually have a shot. Along the way they react to the Shrek 5 trailer and its new animation style, size up the Crystal Lake teaser and its Pamela Voorhees focus, get hyped for the canon 1994 Ghostbusters animated series with Dan Aykroyd and Jack Quaid attached, and debate whether DC's Mr. Terrific series proves James Gunn is playing the long game after Supergirl. Plus a spoiler-friendly Dungeon Crawler Carl book club check-in and this week's recommendations, from Death Stranding 2 to the Predator Badlands comic mini-series. And the question of the week: if the X-Men ran the government, who gets the White House? Timestamps and Topics 0:00 Intro and Question of the Week: Which X-Men Should Run the Government? 5:18 Dune Part Three IMAX Trailer Reaction 12:36 Shrek 5 Trailer and the New Animation Style 16:16 Crystal Lake Teaser: The Friday the 13th Prequel Series 19:35 Naruto Live-Action Movie News and Casting 24:46 Nightmare on Elm Street Reboot at Paramount 28:49 Ghostbusters Animated Series Coming to Netflix 32:06 DC News: Mr. Terrific Series, Supergirl Thoughts, and Lobo's Future 41:49 Dungeon Crawler Carl Book Club Corner 50:04 Network Updates and Recommendations of the Week Key Takeaways The Dune Part Three trailer suggests the movie is expanding small moments from the book, like the worm heist, into major action set pieces, and it may be the biggest departure from the source material yet. Naruto's live-action movie has real momentum: director Destin Daniel Cretton is attached, creator Masashi Kishimoto has given his blessing, and a global casting search is underway for Team 7. The Nightmare on Elm Street reboot lands at Paramount with the Wes Craven estate involved and the team behind Barbarian and Weapons attached, and the premise holds up better in a modern setting than most 80s slashers. The new Ghostbusters animated series is set in 1994 New York, is canon, and has Dan Aykroyd producing, with Jack Quaid in the voice cast. DC greenlighting a Mr. Terrific series after Supergirl's soft box office signals James Gunn is prioritizing long-term world building over chasing safe bets. The Crystal Lake teaser centers Pamela Voorhees, played by Linda Cardellini, raising the question of whether a Friday the 13th story can work with Jason mostly offscreen. Quotes "You go to sleep, Freddy's in your mind. Nightmare on Elm Street is one of those stories that actually could work today just fine." "If I were a Naruto fan, these are all the stars lining up that I'd want to line up." "I think this is going to be the Clone Wars of Ghostbusters." "If you were to cut every part of Lobo out of this movie, you would not feel his absence in the slightest. That being said, Jason Momoa as Lobo nailed it." "Everything that's ever mentioned or anything that's put into his bag, you can assume will be used." Call to Action Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you never miss a breakdown, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this one with a fellow geek using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Links and Resources GeekFreaksPodcast.com, the source of all news discussed during the podcast New Fairy Tale interview with director Stephanie Hubbard, available now on Patreon Follow Us Website: GeekFreaksPodcast.com Facebook: Threads: Patreon: Listener Questions Which X-Men would you put in the White House? Send us your cabinet picks, reactions, and future topic ideas on social media or in the comments on Spotify. We read everything and your question might make it into a future episode. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/42096155

X-Men '97 Season 2 Premiere Breakdown and Bill Bernhardt Interview on The Superman Wars 07/08/2026

X-Men '97 Season 2 Premiere Breakdown and Bill Bernhardt Interview on The Superman Wars X-Men '97 Season 2 is here, and Frank and Thomas break down the first three episodes with the kind of comic book receipts only a guy who has read nearly every 90s X-Men run can bring. From Mother Askani and the Summers family timeline chaos to Storm's god-tier power up, X-Force's return, and the Rise of Apocalypse, they dig into what the show nails, where episode two stumbles, and whether Kang is being set up as the season's secret villain. Then Frank sits down with Bill Bernhardt, author of over 60 books, to talk about The Superman Wars, his narrative nonfiction account of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's decades-long fight with DC over the rights to Superman. Bill shares stories from his interviews with Siegel's daughter, the heartbreaking letters Jerry wrote in the 1950s, why Clark Kent is really just a taller Jerry, and hard-won advice for writers protecting their work today. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Intro and What's on This Episode 01:43 X-Men '97 Season 2 Review Begins: Episode 1, Days of Future Past 13:11 Episode 2: A Force to Be Reckoned With 23:13 Episode 3: Rise of Apocalypse Part One 24:57 Kang Theories and MCU Connections 34:31 Interview: Bill Bernhardt, Author of The Superman Wars 55:06 Rapid Fire Superman Questions with Bill 01:02:24 Wrap-Up, Network News, and What's Coming to Patreon Key Takeaways X-Men '97 Season 2 juggles three timelines and decades of convoluted comic lore, yet keeps the emotional core clear, especially Jean's relationship with Nathan and the Summers family dynamic. Storm's solar-powered upgrade and the synergy-style team attacks are standout moments, with animation and editing that continue to elevate the series. The Kang-style technology in episode three hints at a bigger villain reveal, and the hosts suspect the season was written while Jonathan Majors was still central to the MCU's plans. Bill Bernhardt's The Superman Wars tells the true story of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's fight for Superman, drawn from court records, family interviews, and a 100-page autobiographical fragment Siegel typed himself. DC removed Siegel and Shuster's credits from Superman stories after the 1947 lawsuit, and the 1975 pension deal was only the middle of a legal battle that stretched decades further. Bill's advice for new writers: build a community, get a second opinion before signing anything, and stay alert, because the predators that took advantage of Siegel still exist in new forms. Quotes "Our old man bodies said no, but our heart said yes." – Thomas, on staying up for the premiere "The X-Men created Apocalypse. He's a leader because of the influence the X-Men put on him." – Frank "It's a taller, slender Jerry, but it's Jerry." – Bill Bernhardt, on Clark Kent "His origin story is basically Moses in outer space." – Bill Bernhardt, on Superman "Taking somebody's name off their work, that's immoral." – Bill Bernhardt Call to Action Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you never miss a show, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this one with a fellow X-Men or Superman fan on social media using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Every share helps the show grow. Links and Resources GeekFreaksPodcast.com: the source of all news discussed during the podcast : available at your local bookstore and all online retailers Check out the Weekly X-Men '97 episode reviews on the Follow Us Website: Facebook: Threads: Patreon: Frank: @franklourence79 Thomas: @thomascraigviii Listener Questions Got a hot take on X-Men '97 Season 2, a question for a future guest, or a topic you want us to cover? Send your questions, reactions, and ideas to and we might feature them on a future episode. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/42007940

Supergirl Review, Avatar Season 2 Reactions, and PlayStation Deletes 551 Movies 07/01/2026

Supergirl Review, Avatar Season 2 Reactions, and PlayStation Deletes 551 Movies Supergirl finally hits theaters and Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 lands on Netflix, so Frank and Jonathan break down whether either adaptation lives up to the source material. One earns real praise for protecting what makes its characters great, while the other leaves one of the best endings in modern comics on the cutting room floor. The guys also react to PlayStation deleting 551 movies from UK libraries with no refunds and what that means for digital ownership, plus a stack of DC animation news including an Absolute Batman series, a Joker anime, and a Krypto show from the SpongeBob team. Jonathan checks in on his first read of Dungeon Crawler Carl, and Frank previews weekly X-Men '97 reviews coming to the Geek Freaks YouTube channel. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Intro and Jonathan's Dungeon Crawler Carl Check-In 03:05 PlayStation Deletes 551 Movies and the Digital Ownership Debate 08:00 DC Animation News: Absolute Batman, Joker Laugh Riot, and Krypto 14:45 Why Animation Is the Truest Form of Adaptation 18:42 Supergirl Movie Review and Comic Comparisons 32:27 Supergirl's Changed Ending and Final Ratings 37:04 Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 Review 51:04 X-Men '97 Weekly Reviews and Recommendations Key Takeaways PlayStation is removing 551 purchased movie titles from UK libraries with no refunds, reigniting the debate over whether you ever really own digital content. DC is going all in on animation with an Absolute Batman series, a Joker anime called Laugh Riot, a Krypto show from the SpongeBob team, and Tom King's Mister Miracle on the way. Supergirl works as a fun entry in the new DCU, but condensing Tom King's comic stripped out the character depth and swapped one of the best endings in modern comics for a simpler kill. Lobo is a blast on screen with real Beetlejuice energy, but he was not necessary to the plot and deserves his own standalone project, which Jason Momoa says he will only do rated R. Avatar Season 2 succeeds where Supergirl stumbles, condensing the story without cutting anything essential to the characters. Toph and Uncle Iroh stand out, and Ba Sing Se delivers. Final scores: Supergirl gets a 7 from Frank and a 10 from Jonathan, while Avatar Season 2 earns an 8 from Frank and a 9 from Jonathan. Quotes "If you find a way to watch movies, I think you're preserving history. You're not stealing." - Frank "Animation is probably the truest form of adaptation nowadays." - Frank "You're not going to be the hero in every story." - Jonathan "Don't think that the loud voices are the voices, because they're not." - Jonathan "Toph feels like Toph now." - Frank Call to Action Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe so you never miss a review, leave us a rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share this one with a friend who still refuses to watch animation. Tag us with #GeekFreaksPodcast so we can see your takes. Links and Resources All the news discussed in this episode can be found at Follow Us Facebook: Threads: Patreon: Listener Questions Got a hot take on Supergirl's ending, a favorite moment from Avatar Season 2, or a topic you want us to cover next? Send us your questions and reactions and we might feature them on a future episode. Apple Podcast Tags Supergirl, Supergirl movie review, Avatar The Last Airbender, Avatar Season 2, Netflix Avatar, DCU, DC animation, Absolute Batman, Joker Laugh Riot, Krypto, Lobo, Jason Momoa, Milly Alcock, Tom King, Woman of Tomorrow, Dungeon Crawler Carl, PlayStation, digital ownership, X-Men 97, Toph, Uncle Iroh, Ba Sing Se, comic book movies, geek culture, pop culture podcast /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/41926780

House of the Dragon Season 3 Premiere Review: Shrek 5 Trailer, Dungeon Crawler Carl Greenlit, and the Bricks and Minifigs Drama 06/23/2026

House of the Dragon Season 3 Premiere Review: Shrek 5 Trailer, Dungeon Crawler Carl Greenlit, and the Bricks and Minifigs Drama House of the Dragon Season 3 finally lands, and the Battle of the Gullet gives the premiere one of the strongest hours the show has produced, complete with a death that reshapes the war and a 9 out of 10 score. It is a solo Father's Day episode, so Frank carries the news himself before settling into a full spoiler breakdown of the Targaryen civil war. Along the way Frank reacts to the first full Shrek 5 trailer and the cast joining Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, and Cameron Diaz, celebrates the official greenlight of the Dungeon Crawler Carl TV show at Peacock, and unpacks EA's new in-game advertising platform coming to Madden and College Football 26. The episode also brings back a roundtable from the previous week, where Phil and Thomas help untangle the messy, fast-moving Bricks and Minifigs consignment controversy and what it says about chasing clout in a legal dispute. Timestamps and Topics 0:00 Intro and Father's Day Catch-Up 1:03 Shrek 5 Trailer Breakdown 5:18 Dungeon Crawler Carl TV Show Greenlit at Peacock 11:10 EA's New In-Game Ads Platform 16:23 Bricks and Minifigs Controversy with Phil and Thomas 36:21 House of the Dragon Season 3 Episode 1 Review 55:53 Father's Day Send-Off Key Takeaways The full Shrek 5 trailer eases a lot of the early animation backlash, introduces the next generation of characters voiced by Zendaya, Marcelo Hernandez, and Skyler Gisondo, and reunites the original trio under returning director Walt Dohrn and co-director Conrad Vernon. The Dungeon Crawler Carl series is officially greenlit at Peacock with Matt Dinniman confirming it, Seth MacFarlane executive producing through Fuzzy Door, and Chris Yost writing, plus a Princess Donut CGI test that won the creator over. EA is rolling out a proprietary in-game ad server built on the Frostbite engine to drop swappable, location-targeted brand placements across Madden, EA Sports FC, College Football 26, and NBA titles. The Bricks and Minifigs saga started as a local consignment dispute over a massive sealed Lego collection and spiraled into a national story involving Reckless Ben, Coffee Zilla, Patreon, and harassment of unrelated stores. The Battle of the Gullet leans into spectacle with two real ships built to collide and three dragons in the air, landing the death of Jace and setting Rhaenyra up to carry the blame. The premiere doubles down on its core theme of women like Rhaenyra, Alicent, and Rayna being boxed in by the men around them, earning a 9 dragon eggs out of 10 from Frank. Quotes "House of the Dragon is about smashing two gigantic CGI dragons together and seeing who survives." "I'm going to give this a solid nine dragon eggs out of ten." "You kids nowadays, you don't know the joy of a DVD menu." "I don't believe there is good, I don't believe there is evil. I believe everybody has the capacity for both." (Phil) "When everything is said in clickbait titles instead of what is actually going on, suddenly everybody is a bad guy and everybody is a good guy." Call to Action If you enjoyed the episode, hit subscribe so you never miss a drop, leave a rating and review wherever you listen, and share this one with a fellow geek on social media using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Links and Resources All news discussed on the show is sourced from GeekFreaksPodcast.com, including the full Bricks and Minifigs timeline. Visit Follow Us Facebook: Threads: Patreon: Host: Frank [@franklourence79] Listener Questions Got a hot take on the House of the Dragon premiere, a Dungeon Crawler Carl casting pick, or a topic you want covered next? Send your questions, reactions, and future episode ideas our way. We love reading them on the show. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/41744880

Are Social Media Bans Good? Plus the DCU Box Office Problem and X-Men '97 Nostalgia Trip 06/17/2026

Are Social Media Bans Good? Plus the DCU Box Office Problem and X-Men '97 Nostalgia Trip Doctor Who isn't actually canceled, but its Christmas special is, and we break down what the Doctor Who cancellation news really means and which studio should take the franchise next. From there it's a full geek-news roundtable: DC's villain-driven universe, the real question hanging over Supergirl's box office, a new Transformers movie, and why X-Men '97 has everyone naming the childhood cartoons that deserve the same revival treatment. Frank, Thomas, and Phil also get into the UK's plan to ban under-16s from social media, weighing mental health, parenting, and whether kids will just find the next workaround. The episode closes on a love letter to Dungeon Crawler Carl and weekly picks spanning House of the Dragon, Hacks, Spider-Noir, and Masters of the Universe. If you came for the Doctor Who news, stay for the DCU box office debate and the cartoon revival wishlist. Chapters: 00:00 Intro and Question of the Week 05:12 Is Doctor Who Really Canceled? 12:19 Only Murders Heads to Britain 15:26 DC Villains and the Box Office Test 25:03 Transformers, G.I. Joe, and Siege 31:50 The Under-16 Social Media Ban 49:51 X-Men '97 and Cartoon Revivals 1:00:37 Dungeon Crawler Carl and Picks Key Takeaways: The canceled Doctor Who Christmas special is not the end of the show, and we make the case that Prime Video could be the right new home. The bigger DC conversation is about redefining what success looks like, comparing projects to the right peers instead of measuring everything against Avengers money. Transformers Siege on Netflix gets a strong endorsement as the best Transformers property since the original. The under-16 social media debate lands on a hard truth: bans push kids toward less-regulated apps, so the conversation is less about restriction and more about mental health. X-Men '97 reopens the floodgates on cartoon revivals, from Gargoyles and Recess to deep cuts like Gummi Bears and Mummies Alive. Dungeon Crawler Carl is the runaway favorite of the episode, with dream casting and puppetry ideas ahead of the Peacock adaptation. GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the source of all news discussed on this episode. Subscribe wherever you listen, leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share the episode with a fellow geek. Send us a screenshot of your review and we'll mail you a mug. Got a hot take on the Doctor Who move, a cartoon you think deserves the X-Men '97 treatment, or a Dungeon Crawler Carl theory? Send us your questions, reactions, and future topic ideas. We read them on the show. Follow Geek Freaks: Facebook: Threads: Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast Twitter/X: @geekfreakspodcast Patreon: /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/41677255

Masters of the Universe Movie Review Plus Every Big Reveal from PlayStation, Xbox and Summer Game Fest 2026 06/09/2026

Masters of the Universe Movie Review Plus Every Big Reveal from PlayStation, Xbox and Summer Game Fest 2026 The Masters of the Universe movie is finally here, and it lands a lot closer to Guardians of the Galaxy than anyone expected. This week we break down the live action He-Man swing in full, from Nicholas Galitzine's early Chris Pratt energy as Prince Adam to a Skeletor performance that turns into the most fun anyone has had hiding Jared Leto behind a mask, then we tear through the biggest gaming week of the year across three separate showcases. We rank PlayStation State of Play, Summer Game Fest and the Xbox Games Showcase, and the order might surprise you. Marvel's Wolverine and God of War Laufey carry the PlayStation side, Summer Game Fest leaves us cold outside of Guild Wars 3 and the Resident Evil Code Veronica remake, and Xbox makes the strongest argument for itself in years with Gears of War, a slicker Fable, Clockwork Revolution and Halo Campaign Evolved running on Unreal Engine. We close with the new Xbox exclusivity push, what AI showing up in Crazy Taxi could mean, and a Dungeon Crawler Carl recommendation worth your time. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Intro and Best of 2026 So Far 02:30 Masters of the Universe Movie Review 23:30 Final Grades for Masters of the Universe 25:23 PlayStation State of Play: Wolverine and God of War Laufey 36:41 Summer Game Fest Reactions 45:16 Xbox Games Showcase: Fable, Gears, Halo and More 1:01:26 Ranking All Three Showcases 1:05:08 Network Update and Weekly Recommendations Key Takeaways Masters of the Universe leans fully into its cheesy 80s cartoon DNA, and that commitment is exactly why the one liners and over the top tone work instead of feeling forced. Skeletor is the surprise of the movie, with the bone effects and tuned voice landing as a cackling, failing upward villain, and the Evelyn dynamic adds a real layer to him. Marvel's Wolverine and God of War Laufey were the PlayStation standouts, with Laufey's faster, more aerial combat and direct ties back to the 2018 God of War opening the door to new mythologies. Summer Game Fest underwhelmed overall, though Guild Wars 3 reads like a serious MMO contender with no subscription and no battle pass, and the Resident Evil Code Veronica remake got real excitement. Xbox made the loudest case for its own brand, leaning into true exclusives, with Gears of War, a more polished Fable delayed to February 2027, Clockwork Revolution, and Halo Campaign Evolved moving to Unreal Engine for a July 28 release. The new Xbox direction raises bigger questions, from undoing the Game Pass price increase to Crazy Taxi becoming an early test case for AI as a development tool. Quotes "Idris Elba, eternally a badass. I just love that dude." On Skeletor: "almost like an evil drag queen laughing and cackling 80s cartoon Skeletor." "People say the gaming console wars is over. No, it's not, because that's what drives us, dammit." "Don't skip any Geek Freaks." On AI in Crazy Taxi: "If you laid off anybody for AI, then go screw yourself." Call to Action If you had fun with this one, follow the show, leave us a five star rating and a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share the episode with the gamer or He-Man fan in your life. Tag us when you post using #GeekFreaksPodcast so we can find you. Snap a picture of your review and we will send you something for the merch shop. Links and Resources GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the source of all news discussed in this episode. Everything covered across the PlayStation, Xbox and Summer Game Fest showcases is rounded up there. Follow Us Facebook: Threads: Patreon: Listener Questions Got a hot take on the Masters of the Universe movie, a showcase reveal we slept on, or a game you want us to cover next time? Send us your questions, reactions and future topic ideas. We read them on the show. Apple Podcast Tags Geek Freaks, Masters of the Universe, He-Man, Skeletor, Marvel's Wolverine, God of War Laufey, PlayStation State of Play, Summer Game Fest 2026, Xbox Games Showcase, Gears of War, Fable, Halo Campaign Evolved, Clockwork Revolution, Guild Wars 3, Resident Evil Code Veronica, gaming podcast, geek culture, movie review, video game news, pop culture /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/41585080

Spider-Noir Review, Stan Lee's AI Voice Backlash, and Minecraft Movie Squared, Plus Bill Stoddard on Murder Mouse 06/02/2026

Spider-Noir Review, Stan Lee's AI Voice Backlash, and Minecraft Movie Squared, Plus Bill Stoddard on Murder Mouse Episode Summary Nicolas Cage finally gets to be Nicolas Cage, and Frank has thoughts. This week the guys are back in studio to break down the new Spider-Noir series, the ElevenLabs deal recreating Stan Lee's voice that has fans up in arms, and the freshly revealed Minecraft Movie Squared logo and Matt Berry casting. Along the way they realize the Herobrine creepypasta they believed for years was apparently made up the whole time. The back half turns into a full 2026 mid-year check-in, ranking the year's biggest surprises like Wonder Man and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms while looking ahead to Clayface, Spider-Man Brand New Day, and House of the Dragon. Then comic writer Bill Stoddard joins to talk Murder Mouse, the gleefully unhinged book Frank describes as Chuck E. Cheese meets Disneyland meets an 80s slasher flick. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Intro, In-Studio Catch-Up, and Patreon Thanks 02:32 Minecraft Movie Squared and the Herobrine Myth 08:10 Stan Lee's AI Voice and the ElevenLabs Backlash 16:42 Spider-Noir Review 25:22 2026 Mid-Year Check-In: Movies and Shows 34:15 What's Coming Up Next: Clayface, BioShock Dreams, and More 50:32 Guest Interview: Bill Stoddard on Murder Mouse 1:02:55 Weekly Picks and Comics for the DC Blackout Key Takeaways The Minecraft Movie Squared logo sparks end-game theories, Matt Berry joins the cast, and the crew comes to terms with the Herobrine creepypasta being fabricated rather than real lore. ElevenLabs and the company holding Stan Lee's likeness launch an AI voice to read public library books, drawing heavy backlash, especially given Lee sued over his likeness rights back in 2018. Spider-Noir lands a low 8 from Frank and a 10 out of 10 from Squeaks, with the color and black-and-white toggle and the Ben Reilly name nod as standout details, though the detective pacing runs slow for modern viewers. The mid-year review crowns Wonder Man, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, and The Boys finale as highlights, with Clayface, Spider-Man Brand New Day, House of the Dragon, and Lanterns leading the watchlist. A running rant on movie theater popcorn buckets covers the Lobo motorcycle, the 80 dollar Galactus, and the Masters of the Universe sword and castle, plus why studios keep missing the collectibles opportunity. Bill Stoddard breaks down the origin of Murder Mouse, the fourth-wall humor inspired by Looney Tunes, the new Head Case Comics label, and a planned From Dusk Till Dawn style one-shot. Quotes "It's legal, but not right." "It takes the value out of the voice, the words they spoke when they were alive." "Basically, Chuck E. Cheese meets Disneyland meets an 80s slasher flick." "What if the classic Mickey Mouse saw how the world was today?" "Wonder Man just came out of nowhere." Call to Action If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe wherever you listen, leave a quick review to help new listeners find the show, and share it with a friend who needs to hear the Spider-Noir verdict. Use #GeekFreaksPodcast when you post about it. Links and Resources GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the source for all the news discussed on this episode: Check Out Murder Mouse Today!: Follow Us Facebook: Threads: Patreon: Listener Questions Got a reaction to the Spider-Noir review, a take on AI voices, or a topic you want covered next time? Send your questions, hot takes, and future episode ideas our way. We read them on the show. Apple Podcast Tags Spider-Noir, Nicolas Cage, Stan Lee AI voice, ElevenLabs, Minecraft Movie, Matt Berry, Herobrine, Murder Mouse, Bill Stoddard, indie comics, Wonder Man, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, The Boys, Clayface, Spider-Man Brand New Day, House of the Dragon, geek culture, comic books, movie reviews, podcast /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/41512860

The Boys Finale Breakdown and The Mandalorian and Grogu Review, Plus Paul Sun-Hyung Lee on Avatar Season 2 05/27/2026

The Boys Finale Breakdown and The Mandalorian and Grogu Review, Plus Paul Sun-Hyung Lee on Avatar Season 2 Episode Summary The Boys is officially over, and Frank and Thomas dig into a series finale that split the internet right down the middle. They break down why Homelander's fall hits harder than the backlash suggests, where Kimiko's powers felt rushed, and how Butcher's heel turn landed for comic readers versus everyone else, before scoring both the finale and the full 2019 to now run. From there, they jump to the big screen for The Mandalorian and Grogu, a movie they both enjoyed while admitting the plot is paper thin and the whole thing feels like stitched-together episodes. The centerpiece is a long-awaited sit down with Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, who returns as Uncle Iroh in Avatar: The Last Airbender season two on Netflix and plays Captain Carson Teva in the Star Wars universe. He opens up about adapting a beloved animated series, why he avoids the deep lore cuts when building a character, the reckoning Iroh faces in the live-action version, and the everyman appeal of Carson Teva. He also reflects on Kim's Convenience, the season six that never happened, and why he thinks tearing down something new before watching it is a waste of energy. Timestamps and Topics 00:00:00 Intro and Weekly Catch-Up 00:03:52 The Boys Series Finale Review 00:25:27 The Mandalorian and Grogu Review 00:47:01 Interview With Paul Sun-Hyung Lee 01:20:55 Rapid Fire Questions 01:24:06 Network Updates and Weekly Recommendations Key Takeaways The Boys finale earned an 8 out of 10 from both hosts, with the full series landing at a 9, praised for ending on a hopeful note that the good guys can actually win if they stick together. Homelander losing his powers reveals who he always was underneath the facade, a takedown the hosts rank among the best villain endings on TV, even if the way he lost them through Kimiko felt like a quick fix. The Mandalorian and Grogu works as crowd-pleasing, kid-friendly Star Wars but lacks a real character arc, scoring around a 6 to 7 with both hosts feeling it plays like several episodes cut together. Paul Sun-Hyung Lee approaches adaptation by serving the scripts rather than chasing deep lore, and the live action Avatar gives Iroh a real reckoning for his role in the siege of Ba Sing Se that the cartoon glossed over. Carson Teva works because audiences connect with the grounded everyman in a universe full of Jedi, a role compared to Nick Fury, Agent Coulson, and even R2-D2. Kim's Convenience remains a point of deep pride for Lee, who still wishes fans had gotten the Appa and Jung reconciliation from the original play, but stands by going out on top. Quotes "When those were stripped away, he no longer could act like the same person." (Thomas, on Homelander) "The good guys can just straight up win." (Frank, on the finale's message) "We're so specifically Korean that it becomes universal." (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, on Kim's Convenience) "If you don't watch it, you can't talk smack about it." (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, on hating something unseen) "Go out on top if you're going to go out." (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, on ending Kim's Convenience) Call to Action If you enjoyed this one, subscribe so you never miss an episode, leave us a review wherever you listen, and share it with a friend who needs convincing on the finale. Tag us and join the conversation using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Links and Resources GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the source of all news discussed during the podcast. Follow Us Facebook: Threads: Patreon: Listener Questions Got a hot take on The Boys finale, a defense of The Mandalorian and Grogu, or a question for a future guest? Send us your reactions, questions, and topic ideas. We read them, and your suggestion might shape an upcoming episode. Apple Podcast Tags The Boys, The Boys finale, Homelander, Butcher, Kimiko, Eric Kripke, The Mandalorian and Grogu, Star Wars, Grogu, Pedro Pascal, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Uncle Iroh, Avatar The Last Airbender, Netflix Avatar, Captain Carson Teva, Kim's Convenience, geek culture, pop culture podcast, TV reviews, movie reviews, Geek Freaks /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/41434080

Lanterns Trailer Theories, Westworld’s Return, and Punisher: One Last Kill Review 05/19/2026

Lanterns Trailer Theories, Westworld’s Return, and Punisher: One Last Kill Review Geek Freaks is back with a packed episode covering the latest Lanterns trailer, the return of Westworld, new release dates for VisionQuest and Crystal Lake, and a full review of Punisher: One Last Kill. Frank and Squeaks break down what the new DC footage could mean for Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and the larger Green Lantern mythology. The episode also gets into what a new Westworld movie needs to do differently from the HBO series, how VisionQuest could bring Ultron and Wanda back into play, and whether a Deathstroke and Bane movie could actually work as a darker action comedy. The back half shifts into Punisher: One Last Kill, Dungeon Crawler Carl, network updates, and weekly recommendations. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Back in the Studio!, CCS Recap, and Convention Stories 02:35 Question of the Week: Posters and Box Art That Started a Fandom 05:08 Lanterns Trailer Reaction and Green Lantern Theories 16:25 Westworld Movie Announcement and Franchise Potential 25:00 VisionQuest and Crystal Lake Release Date Discussion 31:42 Deathstroke and Bane Movie Talk 37:26 Punisher: One Last Kill Review 44:24 Dungeon Crawler Carl, Network Updates, and Weekly Recommendations Key Takeaways The new Lanterns trailer sparked a big discussion about whether the show can balance grounded detective drama with the cosmic scale fans expect from Green Lantern. Frank and Squeaks dig into Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and the possibility that the series could explore the morality and purpose of the Green Lantern Corps. The newly announced Westworld movie has Frank excited because the franchise can work as a smaller survival story set against a much bigger sci-fi collapse. VisionQuest and Crystal Lake landing back-to-back in October could make for a huge week of Marvel and horror viewing. The Deathstroke and Bane movie raises questions about tone, especially with Greg Mottola’s comedy background, but the hosts see potential if it leans into a Suicide Squad style dynamic. Punisher: One Last Kill earns praise for its action, Jon Bernthal’s performance, and emotional shift for Frank Castle, though Frank wanted more story before the ending. Quotes “Some of these games are just developed by one person, and what they do with that lack of help is phenomenal.” “That’s the Lanterns trailer they should have released first.” “I think that’s the button we’re going to see: what is the morality of Green Lanterns?” “We got bad taste with how the HBO series ended, but I think we all fell in love with how it started.” “The action was phenomenal. The killings were great. It got straight to the point.” Subscribe to Geek Freaks wherever you listen to podcasts, leave a review, and share the episode with your friends using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Your reviews and shares help more fans find the show and join the conversation. Links and Resources Visit GeekFreaksPodcast.com for all news discussed during the podcast, plus reviews, interviews, and more from the Geek Freaks Network. Follow Us Facebook: Geek Freaks Podcast Twitter: @geekfreakspod Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast Threads: @geekfreakspodcast Patreon: GeekFreakspodcast Listener Questions Send in your reactions, questions, and future topic ideas. What did you think of the new Lanterns trailer, and are you more excited for VisionQuest or Crystal Lake this October? Marvel, DC, Green Lantern, Lanterns, Westworld, VisionQuest, Crystal Lake, Punisher, Deathstroke, Bane, Geek Culture, Comic Books, Movies, TV Reviews, Entertainment News, Geek Freaks Podcast /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/41348765

Capital Creative Showcase 2026: Sacramento Indie Games, Tabletop Design, and Creator Interviews 05/12/2026

Capital Creative Showcase 2026: Sacramento Indie Games, Tabletop Design, and Creator Interviews Capital Creative Showcase brought Sacramento’s creative scene together, and this episode captures the energy right from the floor. Frank sits down with four different creators working across video games and tabletop games, giving listeners a closer look at how indie teams build, test, balance, and refine their projects. The episode features Kim from Ghost Hunter Simulator, Sarah from Wizard Cleaning Simulator, Keoni from Seize Gilded Treasures, and Mike from Legends of the Arena. Each conversation highlights a different side of development, from player choice and cozy horror to small-team production, card balance, community building, character design, and why live playtesting matters so much for creators. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Capital Creative Showcase recap and event overview 01:09 Interview: Kim on Ghost Hunter Simulator and player choice 15:17 Interview: Sarah on Wizard Cleaning Simulator and small-team indie development 24:59 Interview: Keoni on Seize Gilded Treasures, card balance, and community building 41:37 Interview: Mike on Legends of the Arena and building a Smash-inspired tabletop game 52:30 Final thoughts on CCS, playtesting, and Sacramento’s creator community Key Takeaways Capital Creative Showcase gave local video game and tabletop developers a space to show their work, gather feedback, and connect directly with players. Ghost Hunter Simulator stands out by letting players decide whether ghosts are real, changing how they interpret evidence and approach the game. Wizard Cleaning Simulator started from a game jam idea and grew into a cozy magical cleaning game built by a small art-focused team. Seize Gilded Treasures blends trading card game mechanics with board movement, creating a strategy layer where positioning matters as much as card text. Legends of the Arena aims to capture the feel of a fast, competitive fighting game in a tabletop format built around reads, anticipation, and quick matches. Across all four interviews, playtesting comes through as one of the biggest tools for improving balance, clarity, pacing, and player experience. Memorable Quotes “If we wanted this game to exist, it had to be us.” “Indie games get to be so much more experimental.” “We joke that the three of us make one junior programmer.” “The difference between this and a lot of other trading card games was the tabletop and the fact that we’re able to move.” “We lean really heavily into the fighting game idea of reading and anticipation.” Call to Action Subscribe to Geek Freaks wherever you listen to podcasts, leave a review, and share this episode with a friend who loves indie games, tabletop games, or behind-the-scenes creator stories. Share your thoughts on social media using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Links and Resources GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the source of all news discussed on Geek Freaks. Featured in this episode: , , and Follow Us Twitter: Instagram: Threads: Facebook: Patreon: Listener Questions Send in your questions, reactions, or future topic ideas for Geek Freaks. We want to hear what indie games, tabletop games, local creators, and conventions you think we should cover next. Geek Freaks, Capital Creative Showcase, Sacramento games, indie games, tabletop games, board games, video game developers, game design, Ghost Hunter Simulator, Wizard Cleaning Simulator, Seize Gilded Treasures, Legends of the Arena, geek culture, gaming podcast, creator interviews, Sacramento creators /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/41260810

Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Finale Review, Spider-Man Theories, and the Future of Street-Level Marvel 05/07/2026

Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Finale Review, Spider-Man Theories, and the Future of Street-Level Marvel EPISODE SUMMARY The Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 finale gave fans a lot to process, from Matt Murdock’s public downfall to Kingpin’s collapse and the possible setup for a much bigger street-level Marvel story. Frank is joined by Megan from Vigilante Vibes and Thomas to break down what worked, what felt messy, and why this season may be the strongest version of Born Again so far. The conversation covers comic book connections like Devil on Cell Block D, Bullseye’s future, Heather and Muse, BB’s role as a rising journalist, and how Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, The Hand, Typhoid Mary, and even Mayor Luke Cage could factor into what comes next. The crew also digs into the courtroom scene, the hallway fight, New York as a living part of the story, and whether Marvel should keep Daredevil in his own corner or bring him deeper into the MCU. TIMESTAMPS AND TOPICS - 00:00 Introduction and Megan’s First Reaction to Season 2 - 01:04 Devil on Cell Block D, Matt’s Arrest, and Daredevil’s Identity - 03:10 BB, Journalism, Peter Parker, and Street-Level Marvel Connections - 08:16 Bullseye, Mr. Charles, and Marvel’s Grounded Villains - 11:26 Heather, Muse, Lady Muse, and Darker Comic Book Influences - 14:33 Spider-Man, The Hand, Elektra, and Season 3 Theories - 18:04 The Rose, Typhoid Mary, Buck, and Kingpin’s Future - 19:38 Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk’s Complicated Relationship - 23:10 Thomas Joins, CGI Talk, and the Finale’s Action Scenes - 25:16 The Hallway Fight, New York Rising, and White Tiger - 28:35 The Courtroom Scene and Matt’s Legal Strategy - 33:58 New York as a Character and the MCU’s Street-Level Future - 44:00 Favorite and Least Favorite Moments From the Season - 52:00 Final Scores, Fan Reactions, Foggy, and Closing Thoughts KEY TAKEAWAYS - Megan felt Season 2 raised the stakes, leaned more into the comics, and showed the actors had a stronger grip on their characters. - The group spent a lot of time on Matt’s arrest and the idea that the show may be setting up a Devil on Cell Block D style story. - BB stood out as one of the season’s strongest additions, with the potential to become a major street-level MCU connector through journalism, Peter Parker, and the wider New York media world. - The finale’s courtroom scene was one of the biggest highlights, giving Charlie Cox and Vincent D’Onofrio a strong showcase while pushing the season’s themes about masks, power, and public truth. - The crew liked how the season made New York feel alive again, especially through the city rising against Kingpin’s system and the anti-vigilante task force. - Final scores landed strong overall: Thomas gave the finale a 7 out of 10 but the season a 9 out of 10, Frank gave the season an 8 out of 10, and Megan gave it a 10 out of 10. QUOTES “Season two really upped the ante a lot, and it’s a lot more comic accurate.” “BB won the battle that killed her uncle.” “Just because they both can aim good doesn’t make them the same character.” “This was the city of New York rising, all doing their own hallway scene.” “The court scenes are so integral to who Daredevil is as a character.” “This feels like a New York that is the home to heroes.” CALL TO ACTION Subscribe to Geek Freaks for more Marvel, DC, gaming, and geek culture conversations. Leave a review, share the episode with a friend, and post your thoughts on social media using #GeekFreaksPodcast. LINKS AND RESOURCES GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the source of all news discussed during the podcast. FOLLOW US Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Threads: https://www.threads.net/@geekfreakspodcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/geekfreakspod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geekfreakspodcast/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast LISTENER QUESTIONS What did you think of the Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 finale? Send us your reactions, theories, and future topic ideas for the next episode. APPLE PODCAST TAGS Daredevil Born Again, Daredevil, Marvel, MCU, Spider-Man, Kingpin, Matt Murdock, Wilson Fisk, Bullseye, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Marvel Television, Geek Freaks Podcast, comic book TV, superhero shows, street-level Marvel, Disney Plus, Marvel reviews /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/41198885

Resident Evil Returns to Horror Trailer Reaction with Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine Voice Actors 05/06/2026

Resident Evil Returns to Horror Trailer Reaction with Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine Voice Actors Resident Evil fans get a packed episode this week with a live trailer reaction from Rancho Cordova Gaming Expo and two standout interviews from Game On Expo. Frank, Phil, and Jonathan break down why the new Resident Evil movie trailer feels closer to survival horror than past film adaptations, focusing on fear, suspense, body horror, and what makes a video game adaptation actually work. Then Tyler sits down with Joe White, the voice of Chris Redfield, and Heidi Anderson Swan, the voice of Jill Valentine, for conversations about their paths into voice acting, the unexpected legacy of Resident Evil, and how performances recorded decades ago still connect with fans today. The episode closes with Joe and Heidi together, reflecting on old-school game recording, convention culture, and the lasting charm of the original Resident Evil era. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Intro and Rancho Cordova Gaming Expo Setup 01:32 Resident Evil Trailer First Reactions 04:38 Survival Horror, Suspense, and What Past Movies Missed 06:00 Video Game Adaptations, Fallout, The Last of Us, and Silent Hill 09:08 Franchise Pressure, Authenticity, and Nostalgia in Adaptations 13:43 Guest Interview: Joe White on Chris Redfield, Disney, SpongeBob, and Voice Acting 28:22 Guest Interview: Heidi Anderson Swan on Jill Valentine and Resident Evil’s Legacy 41:31 Bonus Interview: Joe White and Heidi Anderson Swan on Recording Separately and Resident Evil’s Lasting Charm Key Takeaways The new Resident Evil trailer stood out because it leaned into suspense, fear, and atmosphere instead of relying only on gore or action. The panel discussed why a strong video game adaptation does not always need to retell the exact game story, as long as it feels authentic to that world. Joe White shared how he unexpectedly became the voice of Chris Redfield after starting at Disney as a 3D modeler and doing scratch dialogue. Heidi Anderson Swan reflected on Jill Valentine’s importance as a tough, capable survival horror hero who did not need saving. Both interviews highlighted how voice acting has changed since the early days of video games, especially when actors recorded alone without seeing or hearing the other performances. Joe and Heidi both emphasized that Resident Evil’s fan community has given new meaning to work they never expected to become iconic. Quotes “Everything about it just evoked fear.” “I want a new story that lives in that universe.” “What fans want is authenticity.” “Chris Redfield is really just me, maybe a little bit more dramatic.” “It’s a gift of a lifetime.” “She didn’t need saving. And that’s what makes her so cool.” Call to Action Subscribe to Geek Freaks wherever you listen to podcasts, leave a review to help more fans find the show, and share this episode on social media using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Links and Resources Visit GeekFreaksPodcast.com for all the news discussed during the podcast. Follow Us Facebook: Threads: Twitter: Instagram: Patreon: Listener Questions Send in your reactions to the new Resident Evil trailer, your favorite video game adaptation, or the Resident Evil character you want to see get more attention in future movies, shows, or games. Resident Evil, Resident Evil movie, Resident Evil trailer, Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, survival horror, video game adaptations, Game On Expo, Rancho Cordova Gaming Expo, voice acting, Capcom, horror movies, Geek Freaks Podcast /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/41172255

Xbox’s Future, Invincible Season 4 Hits Big, Clayface Goes Horror, and Reboot Central 04/29/2026

Xbox’s Future, Invincible Season 4 Hits Big, Clayface Goes Horror, and Reboot Central Clayface is stepping into full horror territory, and Frank and Squeaks break down why that could be exactly what DC needs. The episode also covers a packed week of reboots and adaptations, including FernGully, The Phantom, Django/Zorro, RoboCop, Battlefield, and Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. The back half shifts into a spoiler-heavy Invincible Season 4 review, with a big focus on Thragg, Mark’s impossible choices, and the emotional weight of Atom Eve’s storyline. Frank and Squeaks also dig into Xbox’s future, Game Pass changes, the return of stronger Xbox branding, and whether the next console can make fans excited again. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Avengers: Endgame 7-Year Anniversary and Favorite Character Arcs 03:05 Capital Creative Showcase and Convention Updates 04:02 Clayface Trailer Discussion and DC Horror Potential 08:27 FernGully, The Phantom, Django/Zorro, and RoboCop Reboots 16:35 Battlefield Movie and Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced 25:28 Invincible Season 4 Spoiler Review 40:01 Xbox’s Future, Game Pass Changes, Project Helix, and Brand Identity 59:21 Network Updates, Recommendations, and Closing Key Takeaways Frank and Squeaks look back at Avengers: Endgame seven years later, highlighting Steve Rogers, Nebula, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and the idea of a Ronin video game. The Clayface trailer sparked a strong reaction because it feels more like a horror movie than a standard DC or Batman-adjacent story. Reboots dominate the news cycle, with mixed reactions to FernGully, The Phantom, RoboCop, Django/Zorro, and Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced. The Battlefield movie conversation centers on how it can separate itself from Call of Duty and other military films by leaning into large-scale, multi-front battles. The Invincible Season 4 review praises Thragg as a major villain, explores Mark’s moral limits, and gives the season a 9 out of 10 from both hosts. The Xbox discussion focuses on Game Pass pricing, exclusives, Project Helix, and whether Xbox can rebuild its identity as a console brand. Memorable Quotes “Give me a Ronin video game. I think that’d be dope.” “This needs to be treated as a full-on horror movie.” “Why would McDonald’s lose the Golden Arches? You guys are doing that right now.” “Mark’s weakness is the fact that he’s a good person.” “I’m excited to be a fanboy again.” Call to Action Subscribe to Geek Freaks wherever you listen to podcasts, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share the episode with #GeekFreaksPodcast. Reviews help more listeners find the show, and Frank may read your review on a future episode. Links and Resources Visit GeekFreaksPodcast.com for all Geek Freaks news, reviews, interviews, and updates. GeekFreaksPodcast.com is also the source of all news discussed during the podcast. Transcript source: uploaded GF2 transcript. Follow Us Facebook: facebook.com/thegeekfreakspodcast Threads: @geekfreakspodcast Patreon: patreon.com/GeekFreakspodcast Twitter: @geekfreakspod Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast Listener Questions Send in your reactions to the Clayface trailer, your thoughts on Xbox’s future, and whether Invincible Season 4 earned that 9 out of 10. You can also send future topic ideas for upcoming Geek Freaks episodes. Geek culture, entertainment news, DC Comics, Clayface, Batman, Xbox, Game Pass, Invincible, Prime Video, Assassin’s Creed, Battlefield, RoboCop, FernGully, The Phantom, Django Zorro, video game movies, comic book movies, geek news, movie news, gaming news, podcast, Geek Freaks Podcast /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/41057810

Big CinemaCon Reveals, Avatar Controversy, and the Story Behind Mostly Dead 04/22/2026

Big CinemaCon Reveals, Avatar Controversy, and the Story Behind Mostly Dead Episode Summary This week on Geek Freaks, Frank and Thomas kick things off with Patreon updates, convention plans, and a quick catch-up before getting into one of the messier stories in animation right now: the leaked Avatar: The Last Airbender movie. From there, the episode turns into a big CinemaCon conversation covering Mortal Kombat 2, Street Fighter, The Hunt for Gollum, Godzilla Minus One, Resident Evil, The Mandalorian, Avengers: Doomsday, and more. In the second half, Frank sits down with comic creator Allan Dunford to talk about Mostly Dead, a spooky and heartfelt new comic that blends horror, mystery, and all-ages charm. Allan breaks down the story, the inspirations behind it, and why books like this matter in the indie comics world. It’s a packed episode with movie talk, industry conversation, and a strong creator interview all in one place. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Intro, Patreon, and Convention Updates 04:05 Avatar: The Last Airbender Leak Discussion 09:22 CinemaCon Reactions and Movie Talk 51:31 Allan Dunford Interview: Mostly Dead 1:12:30 Network Updates and Event Reminder 1:13:02 Recommendation of the Week 1:18:04 Outro Key Takeaways The Avatar leak turns into a bigger conversation about how animation projects and their creators are valued. Frank and Thomas spend most of the episode reacting to major CinemaCon reveals and what they could mean for theaters and fandom. Mortal Kombat 2, Godzilla Minus One, Resident Evil, and Avengers: Doomsday are some of the biggest excitement points in the episode. Allan Dunford describes Mostly Dead as a spooky, fun, emotional comic with influences from ParaNorman, Monster House, and Evil Dead. The interview also gives a nice look at why indie comics still matter and how creators build something new from the ground up. Memorable Quotes “2D animation has a home. Trust it.” “The only way to save face at this point is to put it in theaters.” “No limits. You can make an idea as crazy or as tame as you want it to be.” “Finding your audience.” Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share the episode with a friend. If you want early releases and extra content, support us on Patreon and keep up with everything happening across the Geek Freaks network using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Links and Resources GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the source for all news discussed during our podcast. Mostly Dead is available now, so be sure to check out Allan Dunford’s new book. Follow Us Follow Geek Freaks for more news, reviews, interviews, and convention coverage. Facebook: Geek Freaks Podcast Threads: @geekfreakspodcast Patreon: Geek Freaks Podcast Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast Twitter: @geekfreakspod Listener Questions What was your biggest CinemaCon takeaway? Which movie announcement are you most excited about right now? Does Mostly Dead sound like a comic you’d pick up? CinemaCon, Allan Dunford, Mostly Dead, indie comics, comic book interview, Avatar The Last Airbender, Mortal Kombat 2, Street Fighter, The Hunt for Gollum, Godzilla Minus One, Resident Evil, The Mandalorian, Avengers Doomsday, Geek Freaks Podcast, entertainment news, geek culture podcast /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/40970620

CinemaCon Reactions, Spider-Man Rumors, Daredevil Leaks, and The Boys Breakdown 04/14/2026

CinemaCon Reactions, Spider-Man Rumors, Daredevil Leaks, and The Boys Breakdown Frank and Squeaks are back with a packed episode covering the biggest movie, TV, and gaming stories making noise right now. They kick things off with a fast-moving CinemaCon roundup that hits Jumanji, Beyond the Spider-Verse, Zelda, Bloodborne, Resident Evil, anime in theaters, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day before shifting into a full trailer discussion for The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. From there, they get into Daredevil: Born Again leak talk, Avatar movie reactions, Disney and Epic Games rumors, Mortal Kombat 2, Punisher: One Last Kill, and a long review-heavy discussion on The Boys. It is the kind of episode built for fans who want news, theories, and strong opinions all in one place. Timestamps and Topics: 00:00 Intro, what they’ve been reading and playing, plus a tease for the upcoming Victor Barro interview about the Panels app 02:19 CinemaCon round-up featuring Jumanji, Beyond the Spider-Verse, Zelda, Bloodborne, Resident Evil, anime theatrical releases, and Spider-Man: Brand New Day 14:05 The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping trailer breakdown 18:21 Daredevil: Born Again leak talk, prison theories, and street-level Marvel speculation 23:26 Avatar: The Last Airbender movie leak reactions and animation discussion 25:22 Disney and Epic Games rumors, Fortnite, Disney Infinity, and what a merger could mean for games 29:57 Mortal Kombat 2 trailer reactions and why it already feels stronger than Street Fighter 35:06 Punisher: One Last Kill trailer breakdown and where Frank Castle fits in the MCU now 37:42 The Boys review, character arcs, likely deaths, and what is working best this season 50:29 Black Noir comic spoilers and whether the show could still pull off its biggest twist 53:52 Victor Barro interview begins, including the Panels app, DRM-free comics, indie creators, and the future of the platform 01:25:04 Quick Invincible thoughts and final reactions 01:25:54 Outro, review request, and Capital Creative Showcase plug Key Takeaways: This episode moves fast and covers a wide range of major fandom topics without losing the personal back-and-forth that makes the show fun. The CinemaCon segment gives listeners a strong one-stop update on several high-interest movie and franchise stories. The Marvel section is one of the biggest hooks here, especially the Daredevil and Spider-Man speculation. The Boys conversation gives the episode a strong second half and should hit well with listeners looking for review-heavy discussion. Frank and Squeaks keep the tone casual, funny, and opinionated, which helps the episode feel more like hanging out than getting a news dump. Memorable Quotes: “Why is he not taking photos?” “Mortal Kombat is taking itself seriously in the right way.” “This is going to be the bridge that pulls him from Netflix to MCU.” “There’s some really good stuff out there.” Call to Action: If you enjoyed the episode, subscribe to Geek Freaks, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, and share the episode with #GeekFreaksPodcast. Reviews help more listeners find the show, and your support really makes a difference. Links and Resources: Check out the Panels App: https://www.panels.app/ GeekFreaksPodcast.com is the source of all news discussed during our podcast. Check the episode description for links related to the Panels app, bonus reviews, and anything else mentioned during the show. Follow Us: Follow Geek Freaks for more news, reviews, interviews, and episode updates. Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast Twitter: @geekfreakspod Threads: @geekfreakspodcast Facebook: The Geek Freaks Podcast Patreon: Geek Freaks Podcast Listener Questions: Got thoughts on CinemaCon, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, Daredevil, The Boys, or Punisher? Send us your questions and topic ideas for a future episode. Apple Podcast Tags: Geek culture, CinemaCon, Spider-Man Brand New Day, Daredevil Born Again, The Boys, Punisher One Last Kill, The Hunger Games Sunrise on the Reaping, Avatar The Last Airbender, Mortal Kombat 2, Beyond the Spider-Verse, Zelda movie, Resident Evil movie, Bloodborne, Marvel podcast, movie news, TV reviews, gaming news, pop culture podcast /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/40878680

Sticks and Stones Holiday Special Brings Family, Mystery, and Heart to the Table | Interview with Aaron Cohen and Alex Schumacher 04/05/2026

Sticks and Stones Holiday Special Brings Family, Mystery, and Heart to the Table | Interview with Aaron Cohen and Alex Schumacher Frank sits down with Aaron Cohen and Alex Schumacher to talk about Sticks and Stones: Holiday Special, a new comic centered on the Feynman family and their holiday misadventures. The conversation gets into how Passover, Hanukkah, and Purim shaped the book, why Ben makes such a strong lead, and how the team blends Jewish specificity with themes that feel familiar to anyone who grew up in a loud, loving family. Aaron and Alex also break down the book’s comic strip DNA, the warmth behind its humor, and why this world has room to grow far beyond holiday stories. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Introduction and welcoming Aaron Cohen and Alex Shoemaker 00:37 What Sticks and Stones: Holiday Special is about, the Feynman family, and why releasing during Passover feels right 02:12 Representation, family traditions, and how the story connects Jewish identity with universal family experiences 03:29 Visual inspiration behind the book, including Sunday newspaper strips, classic cartooning, and old-school comic energy 05:41 Family memories, Passover traditions, and how real holiday experiences shaped the tone of the story 07:37 Why Passover felt like the perfect setup for a mystery story 08:09 Comic strip storytelling, all-ages humor, and the influence of books the whole family can enjoy together 09:45 Ben’s deeper motivation and why wanting a seat at the adult table gives the story emotional weight 11:09 Ben’s oversized suit, kid noir energy, and how his design reflects a child trying to act bigger than he is 12:18 Why Ben became the center of the story and how his imagination drives the whole book 15:03 Expanding the Feynman family, new characters, and future story possibilities 16:26 Protecting family, immigrant community parallels, and why the book feels relatable beyond one specific culture 22:38 Ralph’s coloring, visual warmth, and how the page design supports the story’s emotional center 28:47 Future plans for Sticks and Stones beyond holiday stories 32:30 Final thoughts on Ben and the larger story potential of this world 32:54 Rapid fire questions, favorite characters, and what holiday the family should tackle next Key Takeaways Sticks and Stones: Holiday Special uses Passover, Hanukkah, and Purim to tell one connected family story. Ben works as a lead because he sees himself as the star of his own detective movie, which gives the book a playful inner voice. The creative team wanted the comic to feel deeply Jewish while still speaking to anyone who has experienced a big, chaotic family gathering. The visual style pulls from classic newspaper strips, animation, and old all-ages comics. Humor is treated as an act of love, not just a punchline, which gives the book its warmth. The team clearly sees this family as a long-term storytelling world, not just a one-off holiday concept. Future stories could move beyond holidays and into everyday family life, school stories, and more character-focused adventures. Memorable Quotes “There's something universal in specificity.” “Ten people around a long table for two hours is a great place for a murder mystery.” “What he really wants ultimately is to be respected and be a part of the family and to be at the adult table and be taken seriously.” “You don't joke with someone and you don't gag with someone who you don't care about.” Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave us a review, and share the episode on social media using #GeekFreaksPodcast. That support helps more listeners find the show and keeps these conversations going. Links and Resources GeekFreaksPodcast.com This is the source of all news discussed during our podcast. Check out Follow Us Follow Geek Freaks for more interviews, reviews, and geek culture coverage. Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast Twitter: @geekfreakspod Threads: @geekfreakspodcast Facebook: Geek Freaks Podcast Patreon: Geek Freaks Podcast Listener Questions Have a question, guest suggestion, or topic you want us to cover in a future episode? Send it our way and let us know what you want to hear next. Sticks and Stones, Holiday Special, Aaron Cohen, Alex Shoemaker, comic books, indie comics, Jewish comics, Passover, Hanukkah, Purim, family comics, all ages comics, Geek Freaks Podcast /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/40737850

Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Premiere Breakdown, Star Fox Joins Mario, and Zelda Remake Rumors 03/31/2026

Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Premiere Breakdown, Star Fox Joins Mario, and Zelda Remake Rumors Episode Summary: Frank and Squeaks jump around a pretty fun mix of topics this week, starting with Star Fox officially showing up in the new Mario movie and the rumor that both a new Star Fox game and an Ocarina of Time remake could be on the way. They also get into the new Moana live-action trailer and whether Disney may finally be figuring out how to handle these remakes. The back half of the episode turns into a full spoiler discussion on the Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 premiere, with thoughts on Matt, Fisk, Bullseye, White Tiger, and where the season could be headed next. Timestamps: 00:00 Frank and Squeaks open the show and talk about spring break 00:44 Capital Creative Showcase details and ticket code 01:40 Patreon shoutout and bonus perks 02:00 Star Fox is officially in the new Mario movie 06:37 Rumors of a new Star Fox game and an Ocarina of Time remake 12:13 What a modern Star Fox game should actually be 14:14 Moana live action trailer reactions 23:36 Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 spoiler talk begins 24:35 Does the season already have too many characters? 33:05 White Tiger, Karen Page, and what Matt is becoming 36:43 Bullseye, redemption, and the bigger picture this season 42:53 Final score for the Daredevil premiere 43:40 A few network updates and what’s coming up 44:19 Comic recommendation of the week 45:53 Frank’s pick: women’s tackle football and the Golden State Storm 48:11 Outro What We Get Into: Star Fox being part of the Mario movie feels like Nintendo is slowly building something bigger without rushing into a giant crossover. Frank and Squeaks also talk about why Ocarina of Time could be the exact kind of game that gets more people to finally buy a Switch 2, especially if Nintendo keeps the remake pretty faithful. On the Star Fox side, they both seem to want something that mixes the old arcade style with a little more modern exploration. The Moana trailer gets a better reaction than expected too, mostly because it looks like Disney may actually be sticking closer to what worked in the original. Then the episode really settles into Daredevil, with both of them liking the darker tone, the action, and the way the premiere leans harder into the comic book side of the character. They both end up at an 8 out of 10 on the episode. Quotes: “Not everything needs to be MCU.” “This is that game, in my opinion.” “Moana has got a chance of being a really good standalone movie.” “We are getting closer to what it feels like to have a Daredevil comic in your hand.” “In the end, it’s still just Vincent D’Onofrio versus Charlie Cox.” Listen and Join the Conversation: If you’re enjoying the show, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, leave us a review, and share the episode with #GeekFreaksPodcast. It helps a ton and helps more people find the show. Links and Resources: Head over to GeekFreaksPodcast.com for more geek news and updates. That’s our main news source for everything we cover on the show. You can also support us on Patreon for early episodes, bonus content, and occasional promo code drops. Follow Us: Follow Geek Freaks on Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Facebook, and Patreon to keep up with new episodes, news reactions, and everything else we’ve got going on. Got Thoughts? Let us know what you thought about Star Fox in the Mario movie, whether Zelda rumors like this would push you toward a Switch 2, and where you landed on the Daredevil premiere. Apple Podcast Tags: Daredevil Born Again, Daredevil Season 2, Marvel, Kingpin, Bullseye, White Tiger, Star Fox, Super Mario Movie, Nintendo, Zelda, Ocarina of Time, Switch 2, Moana, Disney, Geek culture, Comic books, TV reviews, Gaming /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/40672195

Spider-Man’s Mutation, Dune's Next Era, and the Daredevil: Born Again S2 Pre-Game 03/24/2026

Spider-Man’s Mutation, Dune's Next Era, and the Daredevil: Born Again S2 Pre-Game Why Listen? Find out why Peter Parker’s body might be failing him in the newest trailer and which secret X-Men cameo just changed the trajectory of the MCU. Whether you are curious about the "Man-Spider" theory or the political fallout of Wilson Fisk’s mayoralty, this episode provides the deep-dive analysis you need to stay ahead of the curve. What You’ll Learn The Man-Spider Theory: Evidence of Peter Parker’s mutating body and organic web-shooters. MCU Mutants: The subtle clues pointing to Sadie Sink as the MCU’s Jean Grey. The Golden Path: Why Paul Atreides’ journey in Dune is darker than you think. Kingpin’s New Era: What to expect from the premiere of Daredevil: Born Again Season 2. Is Peter Parker Mutating into Man-Spider? In this episode, Frank and Squeaks break down the high-octane Spider-Man: Brave New World trailer. We explore the haunting theory that Peter’s powers are evolving—or decaying—into something more monstrous. With Peter increasingly isolated and stalking his old friends, the stakes have never been more personal. We also look at the Hulk’s mysterious arm brace and what it means for the return of a more "Savage" version of the character. Did the X-Men Just Secretly Arrive in the MCU? The nerd world is buzzing about a specific jacket seen in the trailer. Could Sadie Sink be playing a young Jean Grey, or is this another Black Cat bait-and-switch? We analyze the visual evidence and discuss how the MCU is slowly "dropping" mutants into the narrative without a formal announcement. We also spot some deep-cut comic villains like Boomerang and Tarantula that suggest a more grounded, street-level focus for this installment. How Will Dune Handle the Terror of Face Dancers? Shifting gears to Arrakis, we dive into the latest Dune footage. The focus shifts to the terrifying "Face Dancers"—shapeshifters who can infiltrate any organization. We discuss the "Golden Path" and Paul Atreides’ realization that his rise to power will be paved with blood. This segment explores the psychological horror elements being brought to the forefront of the sci-fi epic. Timestamps and Topics 00:00:00 - Introductions and Patreon shoutouts. 00:01:13 - Spider-Man: Brave New World trailer reaction. 00:03:10 - Peter Parker’s mutation and the "Man-Spider" theory. 00:07:53 - Analyzying the Sadie Sink / Jean Grey cameo clues. 00:15:09 - Dune trailer breakdown: Face Dancers and the Golden Path. 00:26:58 - Daredevil: Born Again Season 2 Pre-Game and Kingpin’s empire. 00:46:00 - Recommendation of the Week: Primal by Genndy Tartakovsky. Key Takeaways Isolated Hero: Peter Parker’s "fresh start" has left him more vulnerable and potentially more dangerous as he struggles with his changing biology. The Mutant Blueprint: The MCU is likely using background characters to establish X-Men lore before the formal team-up. Political Warfare: Daredevil Season 2 isn't just about fighting; it’s about Wilson Fisk legitimizing his power through the Mayor’s office. Sci-Fi Horror: Dune is leaning heavily into the "Face Dancer" shapeshifting lore, which adds a layer of paranoia to Paul’s journey. Quotes "I think a lot of people wanted a grounded Spider-Man, but we're also kind of getting this isolated Spider-Man as well." "Imagine if Fisk was handing that key over instead of her. I'd lose my damn mind." "He knows the golden path is going to be laid in blood. He has to conquer the universe first." Call to Action Follow the show right now so you never miss a theory! If you enjoyed this breakdown, please leave a five-star review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode on social media using the hashtag #GeekFreaks. Your support helps us climb the charts and keep the lights on in the nerd-cave. Links and Resources HELP OUR FRIENDS IN HAWAII: Source Website: GeekFreaksPodcast.com Searchable Transcripts: Related Episode: Our Dune Part 2 Deep Dive (Check our archive) Follow Us Stay connected with the crew! TikTok/Instagram/X: @GeekFreaksPod Join our community on Discord to discuss the latest trailers. Listener Questions Is Paul Atreides a hero or a villain in your eyes? Do you think Sadie Sink is playing Jean Grey? Send your theories and questions to our social handles or via our website to be featured in next week’s episode! Spider-Man, Marvel, MCU, Dune, Daredevil, Kingpin, Hulk, Jean Grey, X-Men, Primal, Genndy Tartakovsky, Podcast, Nerd News, Movie Trailers. /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/40575390

Firefly Returns, Prime Video Pushback, One Piece Season 2 Review, and World of Warcraft: Midnight Reactions 03/17/2026

Firefly Returns, Prime Video Pushback, One Piece Season 2 Review, and World of Warcraft: Midnight Reactions Frank is joined by Scott for a packed episode that jumps from Hollywood headlines to deep-dive reviews. The conversation opens with a fun Question of the Week about how the Oscars could feel more relevant, then shifts into the latest talk around a possible Firefly animated revival, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, and Amazon putting key Prime Video features behind a higher-priced tier. In the back half, Frank and Scott get into full review mode with One Piece Season 2 and World of Warcraft: Midnight, comparing what works, what frustrates them, and why both projects still have them invested. Timestamps and Topics 00:00 Intro and welcoming Scott back to the show 00:15 Question of the Week: what new Oscars category would make the awards more relevant? 03:02 Nathan Fillion says a Firefly animated series is in development 07:35 The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum and Kate Winslet joining the cast 11:44 Amazon Prime Video puts 4K and premium features behind a pricier ad-free tier 15:23 One Piece Season 2 review and why the live-action series keeps winning them over 31:15 Quick sponsor mention for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 3 home release 31:54 World of Warcraft: Midnight review, zone impressions, nostalgia, and housing talk 40:18 Geek Freaks Network updates and what else is happening across the shows 41:23 Weekly recommendations, including One Piece, Star Trek, and Invincible 42:26 Outro Episode Summary This week’s episode balances fun fandom talk with real critique. Frank and Scott debate whether the Oscars need categories tied more closely to online culture and cultural impact, then get into the surprising news that Firefly may be returning in animated form. From there, they discuss how much excitement there really is for a new Lord of the Rings film centered on Gollum, especially with Kate Winslet now attached. The Prime Video pricing conversation turns into a bigger discussion about streaming fatigue and what audiences are willing to pay for. The second half is driven by reviews. Frank and Scott are both enthusiastic about One Piece Season 2, praising how the live-action adaptation embraces the weirdness, heart, and adventure of the anime while still feeling accessible. They also break down World of Warcraft: Midnight, highlighting the strength of Silvermoon, the unevenness of certain zones, and Blizzard’s growing sense of confidence even when every choice does not fully land. Key Takeaways Frank thinks the Oscars could use a category centered on cultural impact, especially for blockbusters and genre films. Scott likes the idea of bringing in younger audiences through categories tied to online filmmaking and long-form digital content. A Firefly animated revival feels like a compromise, but maybe the right one given the cast’s age and the current strength of adult animation. Frank is surprised that The Hunt for Gollum is not generating more conversation, especially for a new Lord of the Rings movie. Prime Video’s new pricing structure feels like another example of streaming services pushing viewers too far. One Piece Season 2 won both hosts over by fully committing to the tone, style, and emotional logic of the anime. Scott gives One Piece Season 2 a 10/10, while Frank lands at a 9/10 because the fun outweighs nearly every complaint. World of Warcraft: Midnight earns a 7/10 from both hosts, with strong atmosphere and story beats but uneven feature execution. Silvermoon is one of the biggest highlights of Midnight, especially for longtime Horde players. Housing in Midnight got plenty of attention before launch, but neither host seems deeply invested in it yet. Memorable Quotes “I would go with a category that’s like cultural impact.” “When they said they were making a live action One Piece, I was like, there’s no way this works.” “It’s just pure escapism.” “When you see it, you’ll see it.” “You have to just believe in magic a little bit.” “They took what Silvermoon was supposed to be and finally made it.” Call to Action If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share the show on social media using #GeekFreaksPodcast. Every share helps more listeners find the show and join the conversation. Links and Resources GeekFreaksPodcast.com This is the source for all news discussed during the podcast. Follow Us Follow Geek Freaks and stay connected with everything happening across the network: Instagram: @geekfreakspodcast Twitter: @geekfreakspod Threads: @geekfreakspodcast Facebook: The Geek Freaks Podcast Patreon: Geek Freakspodcast Listener Questions Got thoughts on Firefly, One Piece Season 2, or World of Warcraft: Midnight? Want us to tackle a topic in a future episode? Send in your questions, hot takes, and episode ideas. We always want to hear what you’re watching, playing, and debating. firefly, firefly animated series, nathan fillion, lord of the rings, the hunt for gollum, kate winslet, amazon prime video, prime video 4k, one piece season 2, one piece live action, world of warcraft midnight, wow midnight, geek freaks podcast, sci-fi podcast, fantasy podcast, streaming news, tv reviews, gaming podcast /episode/index/show/thetopfivepodcast/id/40516335