Supercontext: an autopsy of media

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

The Elmore Leonard character "Raylan Givens" from JUSTIFIED speaks to Charlie and Christian. For some reason he makes us feel safe and in control. Is he a barometer for the current state of America? iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: The Gunslinging Wit of Raylan Givens The Justified Cast on Raylan Givens, Son of a Bitch

In an unusually giddy, slaphappy episode, Charlie & Christian try to understand how Game of Thrones' sixth season was made. When does an adaptation stop being an adaptation? What happens when it passes -- and surpasses -- its source material? n an unusually giddy, slaphappy episode, Charlie & Christian try to understand how Game of Thrones' sixth season was made. When does an adaptation stop being an adaptation? What happens when it passes – and surpasses – its source material? iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources: Last Year (Winds of Winter) post by George R.R. Martin

Is media better when its creators have total control? We look at the first volume of SAGA and explore issues of ownership, censorship and salesmanship with this near perfect comic book. iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources 'Saga': Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples Bring a Stellar Sci-Fi Comic Into the World [Interview] INTERVIEW: Brian K. Vaughan on the first SAGA collection Comics Writer Brian K. Vaughan Talks Saga, Diversity, and Fixing Injustice in the Industry

Quentin Tarantino's either an idiot savant or a savvy businessman with his latest film The Hateful Eight. So we cover script leaks, film stock, Black Lives Matter protests, police boycotts and much more about the making of this film to figure out why it's so damn compelling. Quentin Tarantino's either an idiot savant or a savvy businessman with his latest film The Hateful Eight. So we cover script leaks, film stock, Black Lives Matter protests, police boycotts and much more about the making of this film to figure out why it's so damn compelling. iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional resources: How Quentin Tarantino Resurrected Ultra Panavision 70 for 'The Hateful Eight' Who leaked the Hateful Eight script and almost killed Quentin Tarantino's movie? 'The Hateful Eight' Ending Comparison: How Does the Movie Differ from the Original Script? Ennio Morricone Goes Inside 'Hateful Eight' Soundtrack Ennio Morricone Tells the Secrets of His Hateful Eight Soundtrack Quentin Tarantino set to shoot "Hateful Eight" in Colorado Why Quentin Tarantino Is Shooting Hateful Eight In Colorado And What He'll Spend His Budget On Quentin Tarantino responds to police boycott calls: The complete conversation No, Police Boycotts Against Quentin Tarantino Didn't Cause 'The Hateful Eight' To Flop

Are Radiohead the most accomplished "art rock" band of the early twenty-first century, as the Encyclopedia Britannica claims? Or are they savvy businessmen who've brilliantly marketed themselves for 20 years? Can they be both? In the title fight for Charlie's musical identity, Thom Yorke comes out swinging with every ounce of nihilistic ennui at his command. iTunes direct link Google Play direct link Additional Resources "The Searchers: Radiohead's Unquiet Revolution" "Radiohead Says Pay What You Want" "Everything In Its Right Place"

"G.G. Allin could have been a Flannery O'Connor character." Charlie & Chris discuss the murderous short story "A Good Man Is Hard To Find" and the difference between an author's intent and a reader's response. Why isn't this considered a horror story? And is it punk rock? iTunes Direct Link Google Play Direct Link Additional Resources: Flannery O'Connor Reads "A Good Man Is Hard to Find" (1959) Flannery O'Connor's "A Good Man is Hard to Find": Who's the Real Misfit? Flannery O'Connor: Journey through the South, Old and New