The Ringer-Verse
The Ringer
The Ringer-Verse is your go-to nexus podcast feed for all things nerd culture and fandom, featuring:'The Midnight Boys': Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman react to the latest in fandom and share their instant reactions to the newest nerd culture releases, all while bringing the banter every week.'Mint Edition': Steve, Jomi, and Jessica Clemons gather every other week to share their unique takes on the movies and shows that are animating the fandom.'Button Mash': Ben Lindbergh and Jessica discuss the latest in the world of video games, from headline-making new releases, to industry trends, to game swaps and nostalgic re-plays.'Splash Page': Jessica breaks down the latest Easter eggs and theories from all of your favorite content. Not sure if that was a Mephisto reference in the latest 'Loki' episode? Wondering what exactly that post-credits scene means? Eager to know how a new trailer sets up your most anticipated release of the season? Jessica will answer all of those questions and more in her video podcasts.Follow the new House of R feed for deep dives from Mal and Jo!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 28min
Greatest Crash-Outs in MCU History, Plus NYCC News | The Midnight Boys
The Boys are back, and they are crashing out. They start with reactions to some New York Comic Con news and then discuss the greatest crash-outs in MCU history, and—spoiler—Tony Stark is mentioned a lot.
(0:00) Intro
(11:01) New York Comic Con Nerd News
(28:01) Greatest crash-outs in MCU history
(1:18:50) Outro
(1:19:56) Post-credits
Hosts: Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Jade Whaley
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 14, 2025 • 1h 9min
‘Tron: Ares’ and the IP Failures to Launch | Mint Edition
Steve and Jomi jump back into the Grid to discuss ‘Tron: Ares.’ They share their thoughts on Disney’s latest attempt to reboot the neon-drenched franchise (spoilers included), its legacy, and whether the 'Tron' universe ever got the shot it truly deserved. Later on, they dive deep into Hollywood’s long history of “IP failures to launch,” revisiting the blockbuster hopefuls that never quite became franchises—from the 'Divergent' series to 'The Mummy' and everything in between.
Intro (0:00)‘Tron: Ares’ review (5:33)The era of IP failures to launch (37:54)Outro (1:5:46)
Hosts: Jomi Adeniran and Steve AhlmanProducer: Devon RenaldoAdditional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
14 snips
Oct 11, 2025 • 2h 15min
‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Finale and the ‘Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Trailer Reactions | The Midnight Boys
The boys are back, and they’re serving you all of their thoughts on the ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 finale, and thus their thoughts on James Gunn’s vision for the season's end. They then dive into the trailers of the newest ‘Game of Thrones’ show, ‘Knight of the Seven Kingdoms,’ and the trailer for the upcoming ‘Wonder Man’ show.
(0:00) Intro
(5:18) Reactions to ‘Peacemaker’ Season 2 Finale
(47:38) Peacemaker Season 2 Midnight Meter
(1:02:45) Reactions to ‘Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Trailer
(1:20:04) Reactions to ‘Wonder Man’ Trailer
Hosts: Van Lathan, Jomi Adeniran, and Steve Ahlman
Producers: Aleya Zenieris and Jade Whaley
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 28min
The Shocking EA Sale and ‘Ghost of Yotei’ Reactions | Button Mash
Ben, Matt James, and Justin Charity break down the bombshell news about Electronic Arts being sold for $55 billion, Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass price hike, and the showdown between ‘Battlefield’ and ‘Call of Duty.’ Then Ben, Matt, and Daniel Chin share their spoiler-free reviews of the new spiritual sequel to ‘Ghost of Tsushima,’ the PlayStation 5 exclusive ‘Ghost of Yotei.’
EA is being acquired (01:43)
Microsoft Xbox Game Pass price increase (14:04)
'Call of Duty' vs. 'Battlefield' (28:29)
'Ghost of Yotei' reactions (35:58)
Host: Ben Lindbergh
Guests: Matt James, Justin Charity, and Daniel Chin
Senior Producer: Steve Ahlman
Additional Production Support: Arjuna Ramgopowell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 2, 2025 • 2h 39min
One Demon Slayer After Another | The Midnight Boys
Dive into the animation magic of 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle' as the hosts discuss its theatrical impact and accessibility for newcomers. They dissect the emotional stakes in standout battles and explore whether the film is a cultural game changer. The conversation shifts to 'One Battle After Another,' where critical takes on representation and themes of disillusionment and activism spark engaging debates. Finally, a recap of 'Peacemaker' examines pacing and DC's evolving strategy, making for a lively blend of insights and reactions.
Oct 1, 2025 • 59min
Ringer-Verse Recommends: September 2025 (Featuring 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds')
Joshua Rivera, a prolific pop culture writer, joins the discussion to dive into 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.' He reflects on the show's nostalgic return to classic Trek storytelling, highlighting standout performances and critiquing underdeveloped characters. As they analyze Season 3's tonal shifts and gimmick-heavy episodes, the duo questions the series' alignment with Trek's core ideals. They ponder the future of the franchise, balancing innovation with nostalgia, while celebrating the enduring appeal of Star Trek as a comforting pop culture staple.
Sep 30, 2025 • 1h
'Marvel Zombies' Deep Dive | Mint Edition
In this lively discussion, writer Daniel Chin, known for his sharp insights at The Ringer, joins hosts Jomi and Steve to dissect Marvel Zombies. They delve into the show's animation style and standout action sequences, while debating the blending of humor with gruesome visuals. Daniel highlights Kamala Khan as the emotional anchor and critiques the rushed climax of the series. The trio also explores the challenges of adapting anthology elements into a serialized format, and ponder the enduring appeal of zombie storytelling in today's media landscape.
Sep 26, 2025 • 1h 35min
‘Hades II,’ ‘Silent Hill f,’ and ‘Wolverine’ Trailer Reactions | Button Mash
Dive into the captivating world of 'Hades II', where emotional storytelling and innovative roguelike mechanics promise an even richer experience than its predecessor. Explore the chilling rebirth of 'Silent Hill F', with its distinct psychological horror and a new setting in 1960s Japan that deepens the narrative. Finally, get hyped for Insomniac's 'Wolverine' trailer, as the hosts discuss its cinematic influences, gameplay expectations, and the shift from open-world design. A thrilling blend of game insights awaits!
11 snips
Sep 25, 2025 • 1h 33min
The 'Mandalorian and Grogu’ Trailer and 'Alien: Earth’ Finale Reactions
The hosts dive into the new trailer for ‘The Mandalorian and Grogu,’ sharing mixed feelings about its cinematic scope and nostalgic vibes. They debate Disney’s responses to political pressures and discuss if the trailer feels more like TV than a film. Transitioning to ‘Alien: Earth,’ they critique the finale’s pacing, emotional impact, and character arcs, particularly questioning the portrayal of the xenomorph. The conversation wraps up with rating the finale, touching on the challenges creators face with established franchises.
Sep 19, 2025 • 1h 19min
Big Game Adaptations, 'Borderlands 4,' and 'Silksong' Revisited | Button Mash
Join Matt James, Deputy Art Director at The Ringer, and Steve Ahlman, a seasoned commentator on games, as they delve into the latest in gaming culture. They cover the buzz around upcoming adaptations like the 'Super Mario Galaxy Movie' and discuss their spoiler-free thoughts on the much-anticipated 'Borderlands 4.' The pair also engage in a spirited debate on the difficulty of 'Hollow Knight: Silksong,' balancing praise for its design with critiques on its challenging gameplay. Get ready for insights and nostalgia!
