Supercontext: an autopsy of media

For our one-year anniversary, we look at Sir Ridley Scott's thematic threads with Alien, Prometheus and the upcoming Alien: Covenant. Is it all about commercial appeal? Or is Scott reflecting on old age, legacy and death? Additional Resources: Lodge, G. (2015). From Dystopia to Valhalla, Scott's Future Visions Endure. Variety, 329(17), 73-78. Newman, K. (2012). PROMETHEUS UNBOUND. Sight & Sound, 22(7), 28-31. Adams, T. (2016). RIDLEY ME THIS: SCOTT’S KEY ANSWERS. Variety, 333(14), 184. Return of the 'Alien' Mind Why Alien: Covenant Will Make You Reconsider Prometheus He’s Not Done With Exploring the Universe ‘Prometheus’ Returns Ridley Scott to Outer Space

How does one man find himself at the center of modern myth making? David S. Goyer's written and directed superhero comics, films and television, but his public persona suggests something larger and more conflicted about superhero storytelling.  Additional Resources: (To come)

Looking at David Bowie's final record Blackstar we ask, "Was he saying goodbye?" The public's treasure hunt for meaning in both this record's lyrics and art seems to say so. But how do people's grief for dead celebrities invite such deeply personal connections?   iTunes direct link   Google Play direct link   Additional Resources: How We Grieve Our Famous Dead Producer Tony Visconti Talks David Bowie and Blackstar The Inside Story of David Bowie's Stunning New Album, 'Blackstar' David Bowie: Blackstar review – a spellbinding break with his past David Bowie Allowed His Art to Deliver a Final Message New David Bowie album, inspired by Kendrick Lamar, features LCD's James Murphy David Bowie’s Blackstar a nearly perfect goodbye: review Was David Bowie saying goodbye on Blackstar? The final mysteries of David Bowie’s Blackstar – Elvis, Crowley and 'the villa of Ormen' David Bowie's Final Album 'Blackstar' & 'Lazarus' Video Were Goodbye Notes Bowie's Blackstar outsold classic albums in year after he died

As hacker subculture becomes more prevalent in our current events, techno-thrillers like Chuck Wendig's Zer0es portray hacking more accurately. But how does it split the difference between writing a snarky page-turner and addressing the themes of present day? iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: (to come) Chuck Wendig's Zeroes: a hacker technothriller in the War Games lineage Who Hacks the Hackers? Zer0es by Chuck Wendig In 'Zeroes,' uber-snarky characters ruin a creepy and cathartic sci-fi story: book review Chuck Wendig's 'Zeroes' Is a Paranoid Techno-thriller That's Just Right for our Times The Mary Sue Interview: Chuck Wendig on New Novel Zer0es and Technology BOOK ANNOUNCEMENT: “ZEROES,” TO HARPER VOYAGER TerribleMinds

Comics creator Benjamin Marra is continually described as "notorious" or an "outsider artist" but we talk to him about his genuine sentimentality for these stories. In relation to the release of his work on Fantagraphics' All Time Comics, we review his body of work and why it might make us so uncomfortable.  iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: Benjamin Marra Traditional Comics Pain Is The Best Teacher: An Interview with Night Business Creator Benjamin Marra Shiny as Hell: An Interview With Benjamin Marra Salavetz J, Drate S. Creating Comics! : 47 Master Artists Reveal The Techniques And Inspiration Behind Their Comic Genius [e-book]. Beverly, Mass: Rockport Publishers; 2010. Available from: eBook Collection (EBSCOhost), Ipswich, MA. Accessed March 19, 2017.

What does Gillian Flynn and David Fincher's adaptation of her novel Gone Girl say about the state of marriage, feminism and modernity? Are you a cool girl? iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: A Surprise Hit Spawns a Movie Deal Thrills, chills for Gillian Flynn in adapting 'Gone Girl' Author Gillian Flynn says filming ‘Gone Girl’ went much better than expected  How Gillian Flynn Adapted Her Biggest Novel, “Gone Girl,” Into Her First Screenplay Gone Girl Goes Grim

Together with guest Jack Bennett we compare and contrast all 3 versions of The Shining: Stephen King's novel, Stanley Kubrick's film and ABC's television mini-series. What does this horror tale of alcoholism and domestic violence say about redemption and narcissism? iTunes Direct Link Google Play Direct Link Additional Resources: Meyers, K. (1997). Frightening strikes twice. Entertainment Weekly, (374), 44. Thomson, D. (2013). Days and Nights at the Overlook. New Republic, 244(4), 56-58. Parker, J. (2010). A Killer Vacation. Atlantic, 306(1), 34-36. What Stanley Kubrick got wrong about “The Shining” Book vs. Film vs. Mini Series: The Shining What The Shining miniseries reveals about the King/Kubrick divide 'The Shining' by the numbers Is Stephen King justified in hating Kubrick’s vision for The Shining?

What went wrong with Yahoo Screen and its investment in a sixth season of Community? We look behind the business to try to figure out how a search engine whittled away the brand loyalty of a beloved TV show. iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources Community Didn't Kill Yahoo Screen - Yahoo Did Yahoo Screen Won’t Say if Its Season of Community Was a Success Yahoo Loses $42 Million on ‘Community,’ 2 Other Original Series Why Yahoo’s Foray Into Original TV Series Failed Kathy Savitt, Yahoo’s Head of Media, Leaves for Movie Studio Bills, Jaguars to make history as part of free live webcast Yahoo yanks Yahoo Screen hub, scatters “original” content across sites Not Even Community Could Save Yahoo’s TV Dreams    

Why is Peter Milligan and Duncan Fegredo's ENIGMA the "lost classic" of Vertigo Comics? We talk about how this unique story asks readers to confront from their own identities.   iTunes direct link Google Play direct link   Additional Resources Unsung Masterpieces – Enigma With Peter Milligan, Duncan Fegredo, And Art Young COMICS YOU SHOULD OWN – ENIGMA WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST READ? ENIGMA: PART I BY EMILY SCOTT LIZARDS AND MOTHERS AND WELLS, OH MY: ENIGMA PART II BY EMILY SCOTT Milligan & Fegredo's Enigma Enigma by Peter Milligan & Duncan Fegredo Skreemer to X-Statix Peter Milligan The Man is No Enigma Duncan Fegredo Not Your Average Comics - Enigma Enigma - Peter Milligan & Duncan Fegredo F is for...Fegredo, Duncan Fegredo

Sicario is a 2015 action/thriller about the difference between the drug war and the "War on Drugs." We look at its complex themes and try to understand arguments about its portrayal of a strong female character, as well as life on the other side of the border.  iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: Federal agents conduct immigration enforcement raids in at least six states Are My Methods Unsound? Why ‘Sicario’ Is the ‘Apocalypse Now’ of the Drug War Portrayal of Juárez in ‘Sicario’ Vexes Residents Trying to Move Past Dark Times Sicario’s Dirty War on Mexican Cartels is Not Yet Reality Sicario film-makers faced demands to change female lead role to a man The Problem With ‘Strong’ Women Women and Hollywood Not Very Ladylike: Gender Stereotypes and How Sicario Subverts the Trope of the ‘Badass Lady-Cop’ SPOILER ALERT: “SICARIO” FAILS THE BECHDEL TEST…BY A LOT