Supercontext: an autopsy of media

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

Why didn't the dark Marvel superhero Netflix series "Jessica Jones" live up to our expectations? We look at the intersection of corporate entertainment, feminism and creativity to find out. Along the way we uncover the creepy secret of how your binge watching is being tracked by telephone surveillance.

Every year science fiction writer and futurist Bruce Sterling gives a “state of the world” presentation at SXSW Interactive. We consider his remarks from this year and what they mean for politics, social media and surveillance. iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: WATCH Bruce Sterling’s SXSW 2016 Closing Remarks LISTEN to Bruce Sterling’s SXSW 2016 Closing Remarks Master or Slave?: The Fight for the Soul of Our Information Civilization by Shoshanna Zuboff

We go to the vault in this episode, pulling out our take on True Detective’s second season. Is “it all” Nic Pizzolatto? And if so, do both the blame and accolades lay at his feet? iTunes direct link Google Play direct link

While talking about the dark fantasy comic “Locke and Key,” we get drawn into the complicated media world surrounding adaptations and monetization. Are comics the best engine for creative, collaborative storytelling? We look at Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez’s partnership to find out. iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources Gabriel Rodriguez reflects on “Locke and Key”  About IDW Media Holdings “Locke and Key” Returns With One-Shot “Small World”  

Looking back on the television series HANNIBAL, we’re enamored with its attention to detail. But how did this gruesome slash fiction make its way to network television? Charlie thinks it’s because this is a “wet” show. Christian thinks it’s Bryan Fuller performing a miracle. iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources Gaumont International TV CEO Katie O’Connell Marsh on Fate of ‘Hannibal,’ ‘Cynical’ Content Bubble Hype Hannibal’s powerful visuals make it one of the best shows of 2013 ‘Hannibal’ cinematographer James Hawkinson on the show’s disturbing, dark beauty Hannibal: The TV Show That Went Too Far Hannibal showrunner: 'We are not making television. We are making a pretentious art film from the 80s’ 'Hannibal’: Meet the Chef Who Makes “Cannibal Cuisine” Look So Delicious Feeding Hannibal – Janice Poon’s Blog How to Cook a Human with Hannibal’s Bryan Fuller and Chef Jose Andres Killer Food: Dissecting Jose Andres’ Culinary Visions For NC Series “Hannibal” Hannibal: How TV’s most gorgeous, pretentious drama has managed to survive Did pirates kill ‘Hannibal’? There Is A Simple Reason No One Is Watching NBC’s Excellent 'Hannibal’ Why ‘Hannibal’ Was Shut Out By The Emmys Acceptable level of TV violence is ever shifting for viewers, execs STUDY: Violence Increasing in TV Dramas — Especially on NBC

In anticipation of the Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds album “Skeleton Tree” and its accompanying documentary “One More Time With Feeling,” we discuss the tragedy of losing a child and its effect on art, performance and persona.  iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources The Unbearable Lightness of Being Nick Cave I Am the Real Nick Cave

The 2015 Hugo Awards showed us what happens when science fiction/fantasy fandom turns on itself. A year later we look back at the arguments and manipulations of all the parties involved: Sad Puppies, Rabid Puppies and everyone else. Given how similar this controversy’s rhetoric is to the 2016 presidential election, should we look at cultural moments like this as predictors of larger issues in society? If you’re interested in how the Hugos went this year, here’s Verge’s summary of the event.  iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: Who Won Science Fiction’s Hugo Awards, and Why It Matters  Oh No, the Puppies Are Back for the 2016 Hugo Awards—and As Angry As Ever Hugo awards shortlist dominated by rightwing campaign The Puppy Wars Resume by George R.R. Martin Hugo Award nominations spark criticism over diversity in sci-fi Hugo Award Withdrawls Are the Hugo nominees really the best sci-fi books of the year? This year’s Hugo Award nominees are a messy political controversy The Final Lessons From This Year’s Hugo Awards Clusterfrak  

Charlie and Christian examine DC Comics’ latest attempt to reinvent their publishing line. Is it really about defeating despair with hope, as writer/executive Geoff Johns has said? And is this friendly to new readers? We also look at the ethical implications of using characters from “Watchmen” in an attempt to create a shared universe with an emotionally compelling narrative. iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: “A Layman’s Guide To Why People Are Flipping Out Over DC Comics Rebirth #1″ by Susanna Polo ‘Rebirth’: Geoff Johns Talks About Bringing Hope Back to the DC Universe by Graeme McMillan The Wait, What? Roundtable! Speedy Edition: DC Universe: Rebirth io9 Round Table: What We Loved and Hated About DC Comics: Rebirth

Looking back on the Batman film “The Dark Knight,” does it stand for anything? Or does it simply soak up whatever morals we bring to it? Christopher Nolan’s intentions remain mysterious, but we do our best to figure them out.   iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources JOHNSON, V. (2014). ‘It’s What You Do that Defines You:’ Christopher Nolan’s Batman as Moral Philosopher. Journal Of Popular Culture, 47(5), 952. doi:10.1111/jpcu.12181 The Dark Knight of the American Empire Hunting The Dark Knight : Twenty-First Century Batman. London: I.B.Tauris Dive Deep Into the Making of Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy With This Documentary