The Incomparable Mothership

It’s time for another Old Spooky Club, as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Stuart Gordon’s horror-comedy classic, “Re-Animator”, which bears very little resemblance to the works of H.P. Lovecraft. We’ve got notes about severed heads, chomped-on fingers, lobotomized deans, weird character motivations, creepy stalkers, a literal blood bath, and everything Barbara Crampton. "Re-Animator" Jason Snell with Steve Lutz, Tiff Arment and Monty Ashley Referenced Works Re-Animator Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We celebrate the 50th anniversary of the longest-running theatrical run of all time—“The Rocky Horror Picture Show”! It’s an unapologetic musical about being yourself (and giving yourself over to pleasure). It spawned a cultural phenomenon that’s still evolving, and making some of us feel old! If you’re a weirdo, you’re welcome here. "Rocky Horror Picture Show" Erika Ensign with Monty Ashley, Shelly Brisbin, Antony Johnston and Brian Hamilton Referenced Works The Rocky Horror Picture Show [Amazon] Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We’re back on the Marvel movies with “Thunderbolts*”, a film that (to our surprise?) is not a nihilistic story about villains pretending to be heroes (see: Suicide Squad), but instead a story about some troubled not-quite-heroes learning that they can be better if they connect to other people and work on their own issues. But also with explosions and fights and stuff. "Thunderbolts*" Jason Snell with Lisa Schmeiser, Erika Ensign, Moisés Chiullán and Glenn Fleishman Referenced Works Thunderbolts Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

It’s autumn, things are turning dark and gray, and that puts us in the mind of… (fictional) murder! Want a mystery novel, or series, to read? Our expert readers have many, many suggestions for you. Mystery Reading List Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald, Antony Johnston, David J. Loehr, Scott McNulty, Sandra Wong and Annette Wierstra Show Notes & Links Suggestions Jean: The Crow Trap by Ann Cleeves (Vera Stanhope) Antony: Midnight at Malabar House by Vaseem Khan (Malabar House) David: Fortune Favors the Dead by Stephen Spottswood (Pentacost and Parker) Scott: The Man With a Load of Mischief by Martha Grimes (Richard Jury) Sandra: A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas (Lady Sherlock) Annette: Artifact by Gigi Pandian (Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt) Jason: Strike Three, You’re Dead by R.D. Rosen (Harvey Blissberg) Jean: A Test of Wills by Charles Todd (Inspector Ian Rutledge) Antony: The Appeal by Janice Hallett David: The Deep Blue Good-By by John D. McDonald (Travis McGee) Scott: A Grim Reaper’s Guide to Catching a Killer by Maxie Dara (S.C.Y.T.H.E.) Sandra: Hide by Tracy Clark (Detective Harriet Foster) Annette: A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn (Veronica Speedwell) Jason: The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older (Mossa and Pleiti) Jean: The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri (Commissario Montalbano) Antony: Ghosts of Belfast/The Twelve by Stuart Neville (Jack Lennon) David: The Hot Rock by Donald E. Westlake (Dortmunder) Scott: A Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan (Monster Hunter) Sandra: Secret Identity by Alex Segura (Secret Identity) Annette: The Spare Man by Mary Robinette Kowal Jason: Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison (Cemeteries of Amalo) Leftover suggestions Jean: Sue Grafton, Sarah Peretsky, Laura Lippman, Walter Mosley Antony: Three Dahlias by Katy Watson, Man on the Street by Trevor Wood, Dark Horizon by James Swallow, In the Blink of an Eye by Jo Callaghan, City of Vengeance by D.V. Bishop (Cesare Aldo) David: Fletch by Gregory Mcdonald, American Mystery Classics (ed. by Otto Penzler), The Dog-Sitter Detective by Antony Johnston, Suburban Dicks by Fabian Nicieza, Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman Scott: Jack Taylor Series by Ken Bruen, Barker & Llewelyn by Will Thomas, Roma Sub Rosa by Steven Saylor, Athenian Mysteries by Gary Corby Sandra: Death at Greenway by Lori Rader-Day, Time’s Undoing by Cheryl Head, Japantown Series by Naomi Hirahara, Tita Rosie’s Kitchen by Mia P. Manansala, Garden Squad Mysteries by Julia Henry, Like a Sister and Missing White Woman by Kelly Garrett, Her Name is Knight by Yasmin Angoe (Nena Knight), Everything by S.A. Cosby, Crime Writers of Color, Queer Crime Writers Annette: In the Dark We Forget and Lola Starke Series by SG Wong, Die for Love by Elizabeth Peters, Magical Fortune Cookie Mysteries, Grave Expectations by Alice Bell Jason: Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway (Cal Sounder), The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters (Last Policeman), Yiddish Policemen’s Union by Michael Chabon, Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club) Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

Grab your cyberspace deck and prepare to jack in—it’s time to discuss William Gibson’s groundbreaking classic novel, “Neuromancer.” We’ve got a panel of experts—and a first-timer!—ready to discuss how 1984’s future looks from the perspective of 2025’s present. "Neuromancer" Jason Snell with Antony Johnston, Lisa Schmeiser, Glenn Fleishman and Erika Ensign Referenced Works Neuromancer [Amazon] [Apple] Show Notes & Links Dead Channel: Music Inspired by William Gibson's Neuromancer by Silencaeon (Antony) Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

We always knew Daniel Dae Kim would accomplish something after “Crusade!” (Kids, ask your “Babylon 5”-loving parents.) Our panel looks back over the three-month phenomenon that has been Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” and gives you reasons to watch it if you’re dispositionally averse to KPop, youth-friendly animation, or popular things. Behind the Spoiler Horn, we dive into how well the story and songs work together, whether it’s an animation breakthrough, the future of the wait-is-this-a-franchise, and what could have been better. (John Siracusa: “NOW you’re singing MY song!”) "KPop Demon Hunters" Chip Sudderth with James Thomson, Shannon Sudderth, John Siracusa and Lisa Schmeiser Referenced Works KPop Demon Hunters Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

The Summer of Submarines reaches crush depth with Disney’s 1954 epic “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” Captain Nemo of the Nautilus has met his match in an uncharismatic French professor, his strangely familiar associate, and their sidekick, a violent harpoonist and occasional cabaret performer. Also there’s a giant squid. Everyone remembers the giant squid—and for good reason! "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" Jason Snell with Monty Ashley, Erika Ensign, Shelly Brisbin, Philip Michaels and David J. Loehr Referenced Works 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Submarines Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

In this lively discussion, Erika Ensign, Casey Liss, and Moisés Chiullán dive into the submarine film 'U-571.' Erika shares her insights on submarine movie tropes, while Casey reflects on character dynamics and humor. Moisés delves into the groundbreaking sound design that elevates the film's tension. The trio explores themes of camaraderie, moral dilemmas, and the intricate lives of sailors. Expect plenty of jokes and engaging anecdotes as they navigate the complexity of submarine cinema—proving it's more than just action on the water!

We dive beneath the sea again with “K-19: The Widowmaker,” in which Harrison Ford and Liam Neeson star as… wait a second… Soviet naval officers? It’s a film about a horrible nuclear accident assembled from pieces of other submarine movies, as well as possibly several “Star Trek” movies, and we can’t decide if the screenplay or the casting is more of a problem. But finally we’ll get to the bottom of the real question: if most of the crewmen aren’t married, can K-19 really be a widowmaker? "K-19: The Widowmaker" Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Philip Michaels, Steven Schapansky, Brian Warren and Tony Sindelar Referenced Works K-19: The Widowmaker Submarines Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.

The Summer of Submarines resurfaces with James Garner going on a secret mission to an enemy island in 1959’s “Up Periscope.” The Skipper is not a skipper, but he’s got some interesting romantic ideas. Some scenes are impressively bad from multiple angles. And we realize that we’re starting to get good at this submarine-movie business, maybe? Up Periscope (1959) Jason Snell with Philip Michaels, Shelly Brisbin, David J. Loehr and Erika Ensign Referenced Works Up Periscope (1959) Submarines Show Notes & Links Support this show and other shows like it on The Incomparable network by becoming a member. Members get early access to podcasts, bonus episodes, and more.