Casual Comics Cast

A longtime casual comics fan and a couple of complete comics rookies try and make sense of just what the heck is going on in the world of Marvel, DC, and other comics publishers - books, TV, and movies.

Casual Comics Cast is a arts podcast hosted by Joe Benkis, with 90 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Joe Benkis hosts Casual Comics Cast, a arts show with 90 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #294

  Episode 294: Comics Chat - Author Erik Hale (All the Brittle Pieces)

  Oct 4, 202637 minS2

  Pilot of new format! I'm talking to author Erik Hale (All the Brittle Pieces) about his comics journey - his earliest reads, his first comic loves, and which comics have inspired his current work as an author. We're working through this format, and if people like it, we'd love to welcome more creators to discuss their current projects through the lens of the comic books that shaped their lives. You can contact us at: casualcomicsguy@gmail.com X - @casualcomicsguy Bluesky - @casualcomicsguy Let us know what you think of the new format, and if you (or a creator you know) would like to appear on the show, send us a note. (NOTE: As this episode is a "test", AI was used for the VO/music in the intro and exit. If we continue the format, those will be re-done.)

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  Episode #293

  Episode 293: VisionQuest and Tom King's The Vision

  Sep 26, 202646 minS2

  Join Joe and Erik on the Casual Comics Cast as they dive into the world of synthozoids, artificial intelligence, and suburban tragedy! In this episode, we revisit Tom King’s acclaimed 2016 comic book series, The Vision . We explore its tragic themes, the complex dynamic of the Vision's self-created family (Virginia, Vin, and Viv), and how the story grapples with the human condition, identity, and the limitations of logic—including a breakdown of the fascinating P versus NP problem. Plus, the hosts share their expectations for the upcoming Marvel/Disney+ series Vision Quest , discuss the return of James Spader as Ultron, and reflect on the overarching themes of found family in the MCU.

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  Episode #292

  Episode 292: Summer Wrap-Up & Fall Preview

  Sep 5, 202648 minS2

  Casual Comics Cast: Summer Wrap-Up & Fall Preview! Joe and Erik are back after a busy summer to catch up on all things comics, movies, television, and gaming! In this episode, the guys dive into a rapid-fire review of the summer's biggest pop culture moments and discuss what they are looking forward to this fall Summer Recap The State of Marvel and DC Comics Spider-Man: Brand New Day: A recap of the latest Spidey film Lanterns on TV: Early thoughts on the first few episodes of the new series (no spoilers) X-Men '97 Season 2: A candid review of the latest season Batman: Knightfall: A look at DC's hyper-violent new three-part animated film, breaking down the comic-to-screen adaptation of Bane Fall Previews: Speculation on Marvel’s upcoming Vision Quest series on Disney+ and Marvel Comics' brand-new, horror-fueled "Midnight Universe" publishing initiative coming in October, and Insomniac Games' upcoming Wolverine video game.

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  Episode #291

  Episode 291: Supergirl and Lobo

  Jun 22, 202659 minS2

  With the highly anticipated Supergirl movie fast approaching, we are diving deep into the source material and the characters set to shake up the DC Universe. In this episode, we break down Tom King and Bilquis Evely’s masterful comic book run, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow . We discuss its unique "True Grit in space" western vibe,and what may translate to the screen vs. what we expect will change. Then, Erik takes us to school on one of his absolute favorite characters: Lobo! From his surprising 1983 debut in Omega Men #3 to his evolution into a cigar-chomping, unkillable space biker, we cover everything you need to know about the Main Man. We also speculate on how Jason Momoa’s version of Lobo will fit into the movie adaptation, what role he might play in the story, and how the film will balance the heavy themes of the comic with Lobo's over-the-top satire. Finally, we wrap up with some comic recommendations for casual fans looking for a perfect jumping-on point before heading to the theater.

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  Episode #290

  Episode 290: Spider Noir and FanExpo Denver Highlights

  Jun 6, 20261h 2mS2

  Join Joe and Erik on the Casual Comics Cast for a break down of the premiere of the new live-action Spider Noir series on Prime Video, starring Nicolas Cage. We discuss the show's authentic film noir stylings, the debate between watching in black-and-white versus color, and how the series differs from its comic book origins. Then, the conversation then shifts to a "grab bag" of Spider-Man history, including: Maximum Carnage : A look back at the contentious but beloved 14-part crossover from 1993 that helped transition Venom from villain to anti-hero. Spider-Man: Life Story : A recommendation for Chip Zdarsky’s recent series that ages Peter Parker in real-time through the decades. Collector's Corner : Joe and Erik share favorite issues from their personal collections. Finally, Eric gives a full report from his two days at Fan Expo Denver . Get the "inside scoop" from the X-Men ‘97 panel with director Larry Houston—including news on Season 3 and 4—and hear stories from The Boys cast panel

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