Supercontext: an autopsy of media

Marvel's latest Netflix series Luke Cage incorporates ideas about diversity into the comic adaptation formula so more kids have heroes to look up to. We look at how its inclusivity and symbolism strive to achieve this forward thinking mission. iTunes direct download Google Play direct download Additional Resources: Luke Cage Comics And Race-Based Unethical Medical Experiments The Making of Luke Cage: A Hero For This Moment The Biggest Problem With Netflix's Comic-Book Shows CREATING “LUKE CAGE,” THE FIRST WOKE BLACK-SUPERHERO SHOW Luke Cage producer compares Netflix's new Marvel series to The Wire Luke Cage, Mike Colter, and the "Wu-Tang-ification" of the Marvel Universe Here's how many people are watching 'Luke Cage' compared to other Netflix shows Why Netflix’s Luke Cage Is the Superhero We Really Need Now Inside the making of ‘Luke Cage,’ Marvel’s first black superhero show Why the Creator of Luke Cage Wanted to Make a “Hip-Hop Western”  

In his new serialized novella Normal, Warren Ellis shows us how too much futurism can lead to "abyss gaze." Christian went to one of Ellis' few U.S. readings from the book and reports to Charlie on how social media is the new cosmic horror. And what's the difference between a foresight strategist and a strategic forecaster? iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Addition Resources: Warren Ellis’ Normal Brings Readers a Serialized Digital Dystopia Warren Ellis' 'Normal' is a fast-paced dystopia about a burned-out futurist Warren Ellis Is Here to Talk About His New Book Normal, Gazing into the Abyss, and the Flaw in All Things ‘Internet Jesus’ Warren Ellis talks about the compulsion to write Detoxing with Warren Ellis, Whose Near-Future Vision of Digital Exhaustion is Probably Already Here In Warren Ellis' New Thriller Normal, Preparing For Humanity's Downfall Has A Price: Your Sanity Fiction and Anthropology: Interviewing Warren Ellis About Normal Can Serialized Fiction Convert Binge Watchers Into Binge Readers?

Regarded as one of the best graphic novels of our time, David Mazzucchelli’s Asterios Polyp is a story we all know in a way we’ve never seen before. We discuss Mazzucchelli’s decision to stop doing “assembly line comics” and take control of his works’ symbolism, formalism and experimentation.  iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: David Mazzucchelli at MoCCA Shades of Meaning Book Review | ‘Asterios Polyp,’ Written and Illustrated by David Mazzucchelli TCJ 300 Conversations: David Mazzucchelli & Dash Shaw Some Thoughts on Asterios Polyp Mazzuchelli’s Asterios Polyp and the Fine Line Annotations for Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli

Why do we miss the "simplicity" of the 1980s? Stranger Things effortlessly weaves our nostalgia into its narrative. But is too much nostalgia a good thing? iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: Durham’s Duffer Brothers land on Netflix NETFLIX’S “STRANGER THINGS” IS A FLAWED BUT ENTERTAINING POP CULTURE LOVE LETTER The 5 Most Feminist Moments in Netflix’s Hit Summer Show Stranger Things ‘Stranger Things’ Ratings: Where Series Ranks Among Netflix’s Most Watched Netflix’s sci-fi throwback Stranger Things is yesterday’s summer blockbuster today Review: Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ basks in ’80s nostalgia, doesn’t drown in it ‘Stranger Things’: Shawn Levy on Directing Winona Ryder, Netflix’s Viral Model Nostalgic nightmares: how Netflix made Stranger Things a watercooler smash

One of the best horror writers of our time is experimenting with genre and structure in his new “mosaic novel” collection of stories. How does Laird Barron bring together Alaska, dogs, cosmic horror and inevitable death to make a new kind of literature? iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources Laird Barron - Official Author Site They Who Dwell In The Cracks There’s Always Something Worse – A Conversation With Laird Barron Look Out For … Thin Air by Michelle Paver and Swift To Chase by Laird Barron Book Review: Laird Barron – Swift To Chase (2016) On H.P Lovecraft’s Heritage, the Genesis of Swift to Chase and the Importance of Not Judging your Characters, a Conversation with Laird Barron Bookshots: “Swift To Chase” by Laird Barron This Is Horror: Book Review, “Swift To Chase” by Laird Barron Review: Swift To Chase A Review of “Swift To Chase” by Laird Barron

This episode we try to understand how a television show about anti-capitalism was distributed by a corporate network. Did tapping into the “angry young man” archetype allow Mr. Robot to predict Donald Trump’s presidency? iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: Wealth disparity, hackers and cyber threats in ‘Mr. Robot’ ‘Mr. Robot’ Creator Also Thinks It’s Weird That Things In The Show Keep Coming True 'Mr. Robot’ Creator on the Sony Hack, Antiheroes and the Dangers of Facebook “MR. ROBOT” AND THE ANGRY YOUNG MAN Mr. Robot creator explains why you were supposed to guess the big twist 'Mr. Robot’: Creator Sam Esmail On Transitioning The Show From Feature Film To Pilot And More How the Mr. Robot Finale Tumbled Backward into Its Most Piercing Social Message Yet The Human Drama Of Hacking Fuels TV Thriller 'Mr. Robot’ Mr. Robot Is the Best Hacking Show Yet—But It’s Not Perfect Mr. Robot: Season One Ratings

With the release of stand up comedian Kyle Kinane’s new album “Loose in Chicago,” we try to understand his process of mixing “scumbag stories” with contrarian confessions. And after a recent comedy show gone sour, we wonder what kind of etiquette to expect from live audiences. iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources “Is Kyle Kinane a Prick?” “Kyle Kinane on Being A Contrarian Asshole.” “Comedian Kyle Kinane on Tightening Up ‘Loose’ Act On Latest Tour” Punk News Interviews Kyle Kinane 5 Days On The Road With Comedian Kyle Kinane

Filmmaker John Carpenter describes The Thing, Prince of Darkness, and In the Mouth of Madness as his "Apocalypse Trilogy." With the expertise of special guest Jack Bennett, we aim to find out why. It may have something to do with cosmic horror, nihilism, misanthropy and the futility of human existence. iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: Jack Bennett “The Classics: John Carpenter’s ‘Apocalypse Trilogy’” “Cosmic Horror in John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy” “A Slow Descent Into Madness: Revisiting John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy” No Sleep October: John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy: A Look Back

  While examining Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta’s sci-fi/western comic EAST OF WEST, we consider big ideas, character development and representation of diversity in storytelling. Also, with all its violence, sex and philosophy… would this make the perfect HBO series? iTunes direct link GooglePlay direct link Additional Resources: The Four Horsemen Ride In Hickman’s “East of West” Hickman Points “East of West” In The Right Direction Image Expo 2013: Dragotta Heads “East of West” A Very American Apocalypse: The Politics of the End Times in “East of West” Apocalypse Later: Jonathan Hickman’s brilliant ‘East of West’ comic is the end of the world as we know it Is it Good? “East of West Vol. 1. The Promise” Review

PJ Harvey’s latest album is her interpretation of the ironies of war. So why are Washington D.C. politicians criticizing it? And how did its production in a public setting contribute to Harvey’s overall artistic project? iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: HOPE VI “I gave a famous rock star a windshield tour of D.C. — and didn’t know who she was” PJ Harvey: Recording in Progress PJ Harvey’s “Recording In Progress”: What To Expect Ward 7 Council Candidates Respond To PJ Harvey’s New Song Q&A With PJ Harvey