X-Ray Vision

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight send up the Bat Signal! First in Previously On (2:47), Jason and Rosie discuss a casting in Sony’s Kraven, the imminent arrival of Netflix’s Marvel shows (and of course Agents of Shield) on Disney+, how Hollywood is reacting to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and what some newly released funko pops might tell us about Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. In the Airlock (13:24) Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeep) into Matt Reeves’ The Batman, discussing what sets the film apart from previous iterations, why it’s so good, and offering a variety of recommendations for folks to read, watch, and play after they see The Batman (55:28). In this chapter of the Omnibus (1:25:05), Jason explores science-fiction’s relationship with war and vice versa. In the Hive Mind (1:37:29), Jason and Rosie are joined by comedian and podcaster Pete Holmes to discuss The Batman and in the Endgame (1:52:32), Jason and Rosie pick the craziest villain from Batman’s Rogues Gallery to see in a future Batman installment.

Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!

Nerd Out Submission Instructions!

Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?

Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rk

Follow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmedia

PLUGS:

Rosie’s IG, website, author archive, Letterboxd, + Cougar & Cub comic.

The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!

Batman: Year One (serialized as Batman #404-407 in 1987) – written by Frank Miller, illustrated by David Mazzucchelli. 

Batman: The Long Halloween (1996-97) – Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale, which directly led to Batman: Dark Victory & Catwoman: When in Rome by the pair in the late 90s & early 2000s.

Batman: Earth One Vol 1-3 (launched overall in 2010, Batman’s came out in 2012) – Written by Geoff Johns, art by Gary Frank.

Batman: Ego & Other Tails (2000) – Darwyn Cooke & Paul Grist.

Batman: Hush (2002-03) – Jeph Loeb & Jim Lee

Batman: The Telltale Games (2016) – point & click adventure game by Telltale Games and distributed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment under its DC Entertainment label.

Batman: Arkham Games (2009 - present) – developed by Rocksteady Studios and WB Games Montréal. 

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) – Animated film directed by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm and written by Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko, and Michael Reaves.

Batman: The Animated Series (1992-95, 85 episodes total) – By Bruce Timm, Paul Dini, and Mitch Brian and Eric Radomski, starring Kevin Conroy.

Batman: Cataclysm / Batman: No Man’s Land (1998-99) – written by numerous, outlined by Jordan B Gorfinkel.

Batman: Zero Year (2013-14) – Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV.

Batman 72 Vehicles & People by Francesco Francavilla

For a transcript of this episode, please visit crooked.com/x-ray-vision

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight get a hug from an eagle! First in Previously On (2:07), Jason and Rosie discuss casting news, including the Sonyverse’s Chameleon and MCU’s Blade, how immersed Paul Dano got in his Riddler role, and the release of more Thor: Love and Thunder Legos and what that might tell us about phase 4 and 5 of the MCU. In the Airlock (29:57) Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeep) into HBO Max’s Peacemaker, discussing James Gunn’s trademark style, Peacemaker season 2, and the historical precedents for DC / Marvel creative crossovers. In the Hive Mind (1:22:24), Jason is joined by Peacemaker star Chukwudi Iwuji for a charming conversation about working with James Gunn, acting from the page, his father’s burgeoning cinephilia, and trying to keep up comedically with John Cena (plus how that opening dance sequence came together). In Nerd Out (1:41:22) a listener pitches us on Amazon Prime’s The Legend of Vox Machina and the webseries Critical Role that inspired it. And in the Endgame (1:44:48), Jason and Rosie name their favorite villain turned hero.

Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!

Nerd Out Submission Instructions!

Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?

Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rk

Follow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmedia

PLUGS:

Rosie’s IG, website, author archive, & Letterboxd.

The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!

A-Force – Marvel’s first all female team of Avengers; debuting in 2015, created by writers G. Willow Wilson and Marguerite Bennett and artist Jorge Molina, and appearing in an alternate universe during 2015’s Secret Wars before being folded into the main continuity. It was critically lauded, but canceled in 2016 due to poor sales. Available on Marvel Unlimited.

A Death in the Family – A 1988 storyline written by Jim Starlin and penciled by Jim Aparo, with cover art by Mike Mignola, and infamous because readers could call two 900 numbers to decide whether Jason Todd, aka Robin, would live or die. Serialized in Batman #426-429 and considered one of the most important Batman storylines for pushing the character’s series and tone in a darker direction. Available on Amazon.

Rosie’s Rec – Arrive in My Hands by Trinidad Escobar, available from Black Josei Press. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion, Rosie Knight, and Jason Mantzoukas settle in and talk comics! That’s right, it’s time for another installment of X-Ray Vision’s Comics Corner. First in Previously On (2:30), Jason and Rosie spend a little time unpacking a few recent news stories, including the rebirth of Paramount and some of the Super Bowl trailers; then Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeep) into the latest trailer and poster from Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, offering plot and story theories, speculating on characters, and backing all of it up with extensive comics lore. In the Hive Mind (52:23), Jason Mantzoukas joins Jason and Rosie to review and recommend tons of comics, including what everyone is reading right now, some favorite comics for kids, and their back issue/quarter-bin pick, aka the comics they happened to stumble upon and fall in love with. In Nerd Out (1:41:27) a listener pitches us on alternative movie posters and in the Endgame (1:44:09), Jason and Rosie choose their mutant power.

Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!

Nerd Out Submission Instructions!

Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?

Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rk

Follow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmedia

PLUGS:

Rosie’s IG, website, author archive, & Letterboxd.

The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!

Our Pull List for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness:

X-Men: Trial of Magneto – 5 issues; written by Leah Williams, art by Lucas Werneck, August 2021. Available here. 

House of M – 8 core issues with some crossover arcs; written by Brian Michael Bendis & illustrated by Olivia Coipel, June 2005. Available here.

Illuminati – The series with writing by Bendis that segues into Jonathan Hickman’s New Avengers run. Available here.

Marvel Zombies – 5 issue limited series; written by Robert Kirkman, art by Sean Phillips, covers by Arthur Suydam, 2005. Available here.

Savage Land – Chris Claremont’s Uncanny X-Men, beginning with Uncanny X-Men #94 and ending with Uncanny X-Men #279 when Claremont left Marvel in 1991. Available on Marvel Unlimited.

Young Avengers - by Jamie McKelvie and Kieron Gillen; America Chavez was introduced in 2011's Vengeance #1 by Joe Casey and Nick Dragotta.

Rosie’s Shuma-Gorath Nerdist Article.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight saddle up a rancor! First in Previously On (2:05), Jason and Rosie talk about Amazon’s LOTR and more Super Bowl Sunday trailers we might expect, Disney+’s Obi-Wan Kenobi poster drop, Futurama’s return on Hulu, and offer some Random Recommendations. Then in the Airlock (15:18) they dive deep (deeeep) into the epic finale of The Book of Boba Fett, discussing what we might expect from future Star Wars stories, critiques of Boba Fett, and the exploration of politics and people at the heart of the Star Wars universe. In Nerd Out (1:10:40) a listener pitches us on Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files novels. And in the Endgame (1:13:47), Jason and Rosie give the Medal of Yavin to one character each in the Book of Boba Fett.

Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!

Nerd Out Submission Instructions!

Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?

Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rk

Follow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmedia

PLUGS:

Rosie’s IG, website, author archive, & Letterboxd.

The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!

The Absolute Book by Elizabeth Knox. Available from Bookshop.

Devil House by John Darnielle. Available from Bookshop.

From the Journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi – Written by Jason Aaron & Dash Aaron; the trade paperback was released in November, 2020 and chronicles Obi-Wan’s life on Tatooine as he protects Luke from the shadows and tries to stay under the radar of the Empire, but still seeks to stop injustice. Available from Comixology. 

The Wire – The iconic HBO series from former police beat reporter David Simon; each season expanded the scope of the narrative, starting with the Baltimore PD and the drug trade before dramatizing the docks, city politics, education and more. Available on HBO Max.

Rosie’s Interview with Matt Reeves on Amazon’s ‘Tales from the Loop’

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight square off in Mos Pelgo! First in Previously On (2:05), they discuss the upcoming Halo series on Paramount+, the character posters from Amazon’s upcoming Lord of the Rings series, and the casting of Dakota Johnson as Madame Web. Then in the Airlock (22:08) they dive deep (deeeep) into Book of Boba Fett chapter 6, offering theories for the finale as well as analyzing the dichotomy of Jedi and Mandalorian philosophies. In the Omnibus (1:09:55) Jason surveys the post-apocalyptic genre. In the Hive Mind (1:22:25) Patrick Somerville, the writer and creator of HBO Max’s Station Eleven, joins Jason to unpack the series, examine human connection and genre, and probe the role of the internet in our collective consciousness. In Nerd Out (1:59:57) a listener pitches us on the spooky oeuvre of Mike Flanagan, particularly Midnight Mass. And in the Endgame (2:03:36), Jason and Rosie choose a ‘Station Eleven,’ a piece of art/media that has fundamentally shaped them.

Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!

Nerd Out Submission Instructions!

Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?

Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rk

Follow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmedia

PLUGS:

Rosie’s IG, author archive, & Letterboxd

The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!

Age of Rebellion Comics – Written by Greg Pak and running from April 2019 through June 2019; featuring iconic characters like Han Solo, Leia, Grand Moff Tarkin, and more. “The Trial of Dagobah” written by Marc Guggeinheim was featured in Age of Rebellion Special #1, available on Marvel Unlimited.

Journey to the West – Originally published in the 16th century and attributed to Wu Cheng’en; according to Britannica: “In addition to the novel’s comedy and adventure, Journey to the West has been enjoyed for its biting satire of society and Chinese bureaucracy and for its allegorical presentation of human striving and perseverance.” This version has a foreword by acclaimed comics artist Gene Luen Yang.

Young Jedi Knights Novel Series – Written by Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta and first published in 1995. The first novel in the series is Heirs of the Force and the final is Crisis at Crystal Reef. Available in a few different places secondhand, including here.

Last Thoughts on Woody Guthrie – “And you yell to yourself and you throw down yer hat / Sayin', ‘Christ do I gotta be like that / Ain't there no one here that knows where I'm at / Ain't there no one here that knows how I feel / Good God Almighty / THAT STUFF AIN'T REAL’” – Full lyrics here & Dylan’s 1963 performance in New York here.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight take a trip on a Corellian Freighter! First in Previously On (2:09), Jason and Rosie briefly discuss the new Star Wars game announcements, resolving computer problems for the upcoming issue of the fantastic Image series The Good Asian (that everyone should check out), and the return of the acclaimed series Saga (with no spoilers). In the Airlock (16:27) Jason & Rosie dive deep (deeeep) into the latest episode of Book of Boba Fett (aka Ch. 1 Book of the Mandalorian). In Nerd Out (54:18) a listener pitches us on the television classic Babylon 5. And in the Endgame (57:17), Jason and Rosie play Mando Kart, racing Rainbow Road with only their wits & their choice of Star Wars character, vehicle, weapon, & glider to guide them.

Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!

Nerd Out Submission Instructions!

Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?

Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rk

Follow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmedia

PLUGS:

Rosie’s IG, author archive, & other awesome work!

The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!

The Night Comes For Us – Written and directed by Timo Tjahjanto in 2018, who is also known as half of the acclaimed filmmaking duo The Mo Brothers, along with Kimo Stamboel. Available on Netflix.

Larry Niven - Hugo, Nebula, & Locus award winning author of Ringworld; available on Bookshop.

Babylon 5 – Streaming on HBO Max. 

Message from Space (1978) – As referenced & recommended by Rosie in the stinger of this episode. Full film available here.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion and Rosie Knight gorge on human flesh! First in Previously On (2:13), Jason and Rosie briefly discuss the Microsoft/Activision acquisition, Amazon’s Lord of the Rings teaser, Marvel’s Moon Knight trailer, and the first three episodes of HBOMax’s Peacemaker. In the Hive Mind (29:01) Jason Mantzoukas (How Did This Get Made, Big Mouth, and more) returns to the show to discuss Book of Boba Fett and the Harry Potter Reunion. Then in the Airlock (1:22:07) Jason C. & Rosie dive deep (deeeep) into Showtime’s Yellowjackets. In Nerd Out (1:52:37) a listener pitches us on Super Sentai. And in the Endgame (1:56:24), Jason and Rosie try to survive the Canadian wilderness.

Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!

Nerd Out Submission Instructions!

Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?

Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rk

Follow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmedia

PLUGS:

Rosie’s IG & Polygon piece

HDTGM on EarWolf

The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!

IGN’s How They Made It for Amazon’s LOTR

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion brushes up on his post-apocalyptic Shakespeare! First in Previously On (2:02), Jason and Rosie Knight discuss recent news of the Image Comics Union and The Raid reboot at Netflix. Then in the Airlock (12:05) they dive deep (deeeep) into Book of Boba Fett chapter 3. In the Hive Mind (42:23) Jason & Haitch from Dune Pod return to the show for a spoiler free conversation about HBOMax’s Station Eleven, post-apocalyptic media, and finding hope in stories and art. In Nerd Out (1:19:52) a listener pitches us on Superman & Lois on The CW. And in the Endgame (1:23:57), Jason and Rosie pick an apocalypse in which to while away their days (ideally not the one we’re currently living in).

Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!

Nerd Out Submission Instructions!

Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?

Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rk

Follow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmedia

PLUGS:

Dune Pod’s Twitter & Apple Podcasts

Check out our Dune episode with the fellas from Dune Pod!

Rosie’s IG

The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!

Station Eleven - The basis for the TV series of the same name; written by Emily St. John Mandel and nominated for the National Book Award, the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction and the Baileys Women's Prize for Fiction, winning the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the Toronto Book Award. Available wherever books are sold.

The Road - A 2006 novel by acclaimed author Cormac McCarthy (who is most likely the favorite of that one artsy yet rugged friend – the one who likes “real” camping) set in a wasteland of cannibalism and decay and following the harrowing survival attempts of a father and son. Available wherever books are sold. 

Star Wars Holiday Special - Adored and abhorred; lampooned & loved. From 1978, set between the events of A New Hope, out in ‘77, & Empire (1980), and chronicles attempts by Han Solo and Chewbacca to get to Kashyyyk in time for ‘Life Day.’ It also introduced the character of Boba Fett, which is partially why we love it. Unavailable to stream officially, but versions are online.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

On this episode of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion & Rosie Knight destroy Rockefeller Plaza! First in Previously On (1:56), Jason welcomes us back from the holidays with his initial thoughts on the Harry Potter reunion on HBOMax. In the Airlock (4:44) Jason and Rosie dive deep (deeeeep) into the finale of Hawkeye as well as the long term future of the MCU. Then, in the Omnibus (48:46), Jason explores the character of Clint Barton as well as the origins of the bandit archetype. In the Hive Mind (1:04:22), X-Ray welcomes Alex and Mollie, the experts at Star Wars Explained, to break down the first two episodes of The Book of Boba Fett. And finally in Nerd Out (1:42:29) a listener pitches us on the anime series Attack on Titan.

Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!

Nerd Out Submission Instructions!

Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to or where can we find it?

Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rk

Follow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmedia

PLUGS:

Rosie’s IG

Star Wars Explained YouTube Channel

The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!

War of the Bounty Hunters - An ongoing canon comic books event starting in 2021, written by Charles Soule, among others, and pencilled by Steve Mcniven, among others, and following, in part, Boba Fett’s attempts to get a carbonite frozen Han Solo to Tatooine to collect his bounty from Jabba. Available on Marvel Unlimited.

Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe - Originally published in 15 volumes in 1982, with editing work by the renowned Mark Gruenwald. The collected deluxe edition is mainly out of print; can be found on ebay (and elsewhere) for the right price.

Amazing Spider-Man: Family Business - Written by Mark Waid and James Robinson and published in 2014; featuring the Hawaiian-shirted, white-suited Kingpin. Available on Marvel Unlimited. 

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.

On Episode 17 of X-Ray Vision, Jason Concepcion, Rosie Knight, and Cody Ziglar answer your questions! That’s right, it’s an all-hosts Holiday Mailbag. So snuggle in with a hot cup of tea, a blanket, your comics in your lap, and set your television to the extended crackling fireplace because it’s time to talk about favorite crossover events, creators’ rights, Netflix’s Arcane, video games, and more! X-Ray Vision will be off on New Year’s Eve (celebrating the New Year in style), but we will see you in 2022!

Tune in every Friday and don’t forget to Hulk Smash the Follow button!

Nerd Out Submission Instructions!

Send a short pitch and 2-3 minute voice memo recording to [email protected] that answers the following questions: 1) How did you get into/discover your ‘Nerd Out?’ (2) Why should we get into it too? (3) What’s coming soon in this world that we can look forward to?

Follow Jason: twitter.com/netw3rk

Follow Crooked: twitter.com/crookedmedia

PLUGS:

Rosie’s IG

Zig’s twitter

Image Comics’ Union

The Listener’s Guide for all things X-Ray Vision!

Eric Nylund’s Halo novels - Comprising The Fall of Reach, First Strike, & Ghosts of Onyx with epic space-naval battles & lots of good action. Ender’s Game with less children & more all around fun. Available on Bookshop and more.

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo - Available here.

Exhalation by Ted Chiang - Available here.

Dragon Ball Super by Akira Toriyama & illustrated by Toyotarou - Available here.

For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email [email protected] and include the name of the podcast.