Supercontext: an autopsy of media

Grant Morrison says this 2002 comic book with Chris Weston, Gary Erskine and Matt Hollingsworth is an inoculation against the nasty horror of the world through depravity, pornography and depression. We interrogate whether that theme works in the end product and if the sexual violence within is problematic. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: The Filth Nameless The Invisibles Book One (or the Ominbus if you're freaky) The Soft Machine (The Cut-up Trilogy) Nova Express (The Cut-up Trilogy) The Ticket That Exploded (The Cut-up Trilogy) Black Kiss Additional Resources: Duffy, D. (2017). The Filth. Salem Press Encyclopedia Of Literature We Don't Need Another Hero; We Need Garbagemen In Grant Morrison's The Filth The Function of the Filth WHAT IS THE FILTH ? FILTH PLUS FILTH PLUS - The Questions The Function of the Filth – Preview #1 The Function of the Filth – Preview #2 The Function of the Filth – Preview #3 The Function of the Filth – Preview #4

David Simon and Ed Burns produced what is heralded as one of the most authentic depictions of the Iraq War, based on Evan Wright's embedded reporting. We look at how it navigates between journalism and drama to keep us from forgetting the story of soldiers on the ground. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Generation Kill Sheriff of Babylon Pride of Baghdad The Short-Timers (crazy rare and way too expensive) Additional Resources: 'Generation Kill' Captures War's Lulls and Horrors After Iraq, the Marines of 'Generation Kill' Regret Nothing Situation Normal The Men Behind Generation Kill

Writer/director Robin Hardy describes The Wicker Tree as a companion piece to 1973's The Wicker Man. We dig into just how this film got made. Was it a spiteful response to the American remake? Or a continuation for a deeper purpose? Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: The Wicker Man The Wicker Tree The Sacrament The Leftovers Additional Resources: The Lambton Worm, and the 'Wicker Man' Sequel That Almost Was Robin Hardy Starts Crowdfunding For The Wrath Of The Gods WICKER MAN DIRECTOR ROBIN HARDY ON THE WICKER TREE AND WHAT COMES NEXT The Wicker Man director Robin Hardy dies Wicker Man sequel revisits original's murky territory Interview With Robin Hardy, Director of The Wicker Man and The Wicker Tree

Killer Mike and El-P call their latest record the album of their careers. How does it straddle crass humor, transgression and political activism? And if you are "the jewel," how does their music fit into your community? Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Run the Jewels Run the Jewels 2 Run the Jewels 3 Meow the Jewels The New Pneumonia Blues Additional Resources: Run the Jewels Announce RTJ3, Share New Song "Legend Has It" El-P on Run the Jewels 3 and That Apocalypse He's Been Warning Us About Meet the Other Duo Behind Run the Jewels

We turn to David Harper (Off Panel, SKTCHD) and Augie De Blieck, Jr. (Pipeline Comics) for expertise on what's going on in comics news. Are the struggles of this niche industry indicative of something broader going on in our media? Is news a trustworthy advocate that can help us make informed decisions? Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Understanding Comics Additional Resources: Off Panel Pipeline CBR Newsarama The Beat (Heidi MacDonald) Bleeding Cool The Comics Reporter (Tom Spurgeon) Den of Geek Gizmodo/io9 Paste The Outhouse The Comics Journal Ars Technica

This comic book from two of Europe's most legendary creators both presents and parodies white male themes in the 20th century. So what makes it compelling today? Should we embrace or reject its existentialism? Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Madwoman of the Sacred Heart Sabbath's Theater Consider the Lobster and Other Essays Additional Resources: Alejandro Jodorowsky's dance on the edge of meaning Publishers Weekly review Beguiling Books and Art review A Dude, Abiding review The Comics Journal review

With a provocative book title, Laura Jane Grace is reclaiming a slur and repurposing it for her story of struggling with gender dysphoria and self-destructive behavior. Guest Alyson McManus helps us unpack this experience into something universal, with which we can all identify. Additional Resources: Lead Singer of Punk Band 'Against Me' Comes Out as Transgender in Rolling Stone Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace to Release Memoir 'Tranny' Later This Year Laura Jane Grace's Brutally Honest 'Tranny' Memoir: 10 Things We Learned Against Me!'s Laura Jane Grace explains why she decided to title her memoir 'TRANNY.' One Year and One Million Words with Laura Jane Grace Laura Jane Grace on New Memoir, Why She's Not a Trans Spokesperson Rock's Not Dead, It's Ruled by Women: The Round-Table Conversation Beyond XX and XY: The Extraordinary Complexity of Sex Determination

Steven Universe creator Rebecca Sugar has developed a warm, well thought out approach to family cartoons. We look at her goals, Cartoon Network's business plans and the fight in fandom over how this show represents diverse identities. Additional Resources 'Steven Universe' creator Rebecca Sugar is a Cartoon Network trailblazer Cartoon Network's 'Steven Universe' Premieres As Its Most-Watched Series of 2013 'Steven Universe' creator on growing up, gender politics, her brother Steven Universe's frustrating schedule is crucial to its success 'Adventure Time' Writer Rebecca Sugar on 'Steven Universe,' Being Cartoon Network's First Female Show Creator And Why Pop Art Is 'Offensive' 'Leaked' Steven Universe episodes weren't leaked at all, Cartoon Network says Steven Universe Artist Quits Twitter Over Fan Harassment 'Steven Universe' fandom is melting down after bullied fanartist attempts suicide An Attempted Suicide Forced a Tumblr Community to Open Its Eyes About Bullying Why I Fell In Love With The Brilliant Steven Universe, And You Will Too 'Steven Universe's' Rebecca Sugar confirms Fluorite is a representation of a polyamorous relationship Superheroes, Steven Universe, and the Maternal Narrative

Past guest Swain Hunt (Sidebar, The Metronome) returns to discuss what makes movies hold up? We each tackle a film from the last 30 years of cinema and try to understand why they hold up for us: Bull Durham, Contact and V For Vendetta.

It's easy to connect with the symbol that is "Johnny Cash," whether you're a rebel, a wanderer, or even a Christian. But how do these contradictions come together as some kind of American identity? And how do these final recordings of a humble storyteller speak to our need for the man to come around? Additional Resources: Johnny Cash's American albums hit the heart and soul Why Johnny Cash's American Recordings Are The Perfect Epitaph To His Career Performing Songwriter – Rick Rubin How The 'American Recordings' Series Revitalized Johnny Cash's Career 'American' Remembered: Rick Rubin On Johnny Cash