Michael Swaim, a Cracked alum known for his comedic flair, joins the party to explore the wild world of fantasy in the chaotic comic 'Bladesman.' The conversation humorously critiques absurd character designs and the challenges of world-building while reminiscing about the nostalgic 90s series 'Battle Chasers.' They delve into the whimsical concept of 'sword Olympics,' blending humor with witty insights. Expect a playful exploration of tropes, chaotic narrative elements, and plenty of laughs as they navigate the absurdities of fantasy storytelling!
The podcast humorously critiques the shallow character development in 'Bladesman', highlighting typical fantasy archetypes like Arthon and Allegra.
Hosts explore the comedic value found in the absurdity of the narrative, emphasizing unintentional humor born from storytelling failures.
Artistic inconsistency in 'Bladesman' diminishes its overall quality, yet the charm of its imperfections offers a unique viewing experience.
Deep dives
Introduction to the Podcast's Themes
The podcast brings to light the absurd and hilarious aspects of a fictional universe centered around the comic book 'Bladesman.' It delves into the nonsensical establishment of various kingdoms, each with ridiculous names and equally absurd attributes, such as Elphonia, home to elves, and Femon, known for its beautiful women. The podcast hosts discuss the comedic value of the characters' descriptions, where the protagonists seem to have little depth and are often defined solely by their physical traits. This analysis highlights the exaggerated tropes commonly found in sword and sorcery narratives.
Critique of Characters and Plot Development
The podcast critiques the lackluster development of key characters, notably Arthon, Allegra, and the centaur Rakoto, who exemplify typical fantasy archetypes without substantive growth or unique characteristics. While Arthon possesses a sword with god-like powers that resolve conflicts too easily, the narrative's reliance on this device renders the character’s journey dull and predictable. The hosts express that many characters, such as Elvore, merely serve as comic relief without effective moments to shine, ultimately reducing them to shallow representations. This execution leads to a perception of the comic as a rushed story filled with lack of coherence and arc.
Examining Comedic Elements
The podcast emphasizes the comedic elements woven throughout the narrative, notably through odd dialogue and nonsensical plot points, such as a tree demon that mimics a character's voice. The hosts explore how the humor often arises from the unintentional failures in storytelling, where moments designed for gravity instead induce laughter. They discuss an instance where the characters engage in a comedic, albeit absurd, sequence involving maidens, centaurs, and whimsical powers that lack logic. This focus on humor over narrative coherence allows listeners to appreciate the creative absurdity that permeates the comic.
The Role of Fantasy Tropes
The podcast examines the use of common fantasy tropes present in 'Bladesman' while highlighting how they fall short of originality. A recurring theme includes characters failing to leverage their specific skills effectively, such as Allegra forgetting she possesses combat abilities amidst chaotic moments. The hosts humorously critique the clichéd confrontations with absurd villains, such as the giant tree-magic character demanding allegiance and threatening kingdoms without a clear motive. This analysis underscores the predictably archetypical landscape, reducing the narrative to a recycling of overused fantasy elements that don’t innovate or captivate.
Conclusion on the Comic's Artistic Values
The hosts conclude the podcast with thoughts on the artistic values showcased in 'Bladesman', noting the inconsistency in art quality that detracts from the overall experience. They point out peculiar choices like a lack of color in a promotional comic cover despite claims of a 'color special,' leaving it feeling poorly executed. Listeners are treated to a comedic dissection of the artwork, which appears more childlike and chaotic than professionally polished, further contributing to the comic's whimsical but chaotic nature. Ultimately, the podcast suggests that the comic's charm lies in its imperfections, making it a unique piece of media worthy of analysis.
Seanbaby and Brockway welcome special guest and fellow Cracked alum Michael Swaim to the DOGGZZONE to discuss what can loosely be described as a barbarian comic book but can more accurately be described as, SQUAAAAWWWWK!
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