This month the Star Trek series 40 years in the making, Starfleet Academy, introduces us to a new generation of Starfleet Cadets and the first new class in the 32nd century! Some familiar faces also return to the franchise. This week on Geek History Lesson we put our Starfleet uniforms back on (with the dust from The Red Shirt Diaries and Section 31), to boldly go where no podcast has gone before!
X-Men MEGA EPISODE 2 (Emma Frost, Nightcrawler, Cable, Kitty Pryde)
Once again the X-Men are the team on every Marvel Movie fans' lips! With Cyclops giving us big Jim Lee 90s comics energy in the AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY trailer we wanted to reexamine the personal favorite X-Men members of our hosts. Do you love any of these characters as much as we do? Strap yourself into the Quinjet as we present you these episodes from the archives for this MEGA EPISODE:
GHL 473 - Emma Frost - ft. the strong opinions of Diego Anthony Nuñez!
GHL 225 - Nightcrawler - the birth of Tex Willerman!
GHL 211 - Cable - the time traveling history of the best Summers child
GHL 14 - Kitty Pryde - Discover one of the first X-Men episodes we ever recorded with a bonus dragon
Learn what it takes to tell the best of the best comic book stories in the Marvel Comics Universe. Is it style? Or substance? Join us for this in-depth celebration of top dogs!
Best Marvel Comics Stories MEGA EPISODE (Best Wolverine Stories, Best Daredevil Stories, Best Iron Fist Stories, Best X-Men Stories)
Marvel Comics characters are sharing adventures with DC Comics characters again! With Laura Kinney forging new grounds with Dick Grayson we wanted to take a look at things from the Marvel perspective. What does it take to tell the Best Marvel Comics story? Strap yourself into the Fantasticar as we present you these episodes from the archives for this MEGA EPISODE:
GHL 399 - Best Wolverine Stories - Learn which Wolvie stories inspire Logan's longest-running writer, Benjamin Percy
232 - Best Daredevil Stories - Uncover the ultimate guide to the tales of The Man Without Fear
226 - Best Iron Fist Stories - Find Danny Rand stories you can receommend to your friends
258 - Best X-Men Stories - Discover the greatest stories of the best Marvel team
Learn what it takes to tell the best of the best comic book stories in the Marvel Comics Universe. Is it style? Or substance? Join us for this in-depth celebration of top dogs!
Follow Benjamin Percy on BlueSky ► https://bsky.app/profile/benjaminpercy.bsky.social
Holiday Special MEGA EPISODE 2 (Doctor Strange Holiday Special + Tex Men Ep 1)
We're bringing it back! No one asked for it! Here's every Doctor Strange Holiday Special EVER + the premier episode of TEX MEN! Relive old characters you forgot about or probably should have forgotten! Discover how GHL guest stars Doctor Strange and Clea have taken over the podcast every year! Hear every shenanigan between Tex Willerman and Nightcrawler! Happy Holidays! Special guests incude: Omar Najam (how many times can one guest appear!?), Dani Fernandez, Sam Bashor, John Steven Rocha and more!
Fantastic Four MEGA EPISODE (Fantastic Four Pt 1 & 2, Silver Surfer, Doctor Doom, Best FF Team Ever)
Today, in celebration of Fantastic Four's fourth cinematic debut season we tie the threads between The First Family, The Future Foundations, and some of their most iconic baddies with some of our favorite Baxter Building-themed episodes from the archives for this MEGA EPISODE:
GHL 75: Fantastic Four – Explore the science and the fiction behind Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Ben Grimm, and Johnny Storm
GHL 76: Fantastic Four Pt 2 – Study up on the greatest moments of Marvel Comics' First Family - including first steps!
GHL 370: Silver Surfer – Discover the far out & trippy origins of Norrin Radd
GHL 250: Doctor Doom – Follow the journey of the fifth member of The Fantastic Four on his descent into villanry
GHL 77: Best FF – Jason & Ashley build their ultimate Fantastic Four line up with other members of the Marvel Comics Universe
Suit up in blue and white, jump into the Negative Zone, and enjoy in this epic celebration of all things Fantastic!
MAILBAG Fantastic Four Marvel's First Family
This week YOU lead the Fantastic Four discussion! We answer your questions about everything Marvel's First Family from stories we love, tropes we want to retire, characters we want to see more of, and moments we never want to hear referenced ever again. Did your question make it to air? Listen to the full episode & find out!
Best Fictional Schools
School may be out for the summer, but comic book always have havens for the strange and nerdy to find refuge in. On this week's episode we step into the hallowed halls of The Umbrella Academy, Kamar Taj, Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters, and Starfleet Academy to conclude which Universe offers the best education to a young superhero type. Did we miss your fave?
Wakanda MEGA EPISODE (Black Panther, Shuri, Dora Milaje, Ironheart)
Today, in celebration of Ironheart's first season on Disney+ we tie the threads between Riri Williams' Wakandan origins and her status as MIT's greatest superhero with some of our favorite Wakanda-themed episodes from the archives for this MEGA EPISODE:
GHL 198: Black Panther – Explore the science and the magic of the OG Black Panther king with Special Guest Jay Washington
GHL 201: Shuri (Black Panther) – Study up on the genius kid sister of T'Challa who became Black Panther in her own right
GHL 438: Dora Milaje (Back Panther Wakanda Forever) – Discover the elite female fighting force who hold up the Black Panther
GHL 437: Ironheart (Black Panther Wakanda Forever) – Follow the journey of Riri Williams who upgraded Iron Man's classic design with Wakandan flare
Suit up in red, black, and gold and time travel your way through the spirit plane of podcasting in this epic celebration of all things Wakanda! (Additional research and writing by Diego Anthony Nuñez)
Zombies
28 Years Later from Danny Boyle follows up (23 years later!), on his zombie movie masterpiece - 28 Days Later! There are multiple Walking Dead shows on the air right now. The Last of Us in a beloved video game and streaming franchise starring the greatest daddy of all time. Zombies are back, baby! We explore why zombies, walkers, biters, or whatever you want to call them continue to hold us in their thrall from George Romero's shambling black-and-white Night of the Living Dead, through cultural context, evolving into the bastion of modern horror. Scared yet? You will be because Your Geek History Lesson is now in session!
Should Thunderbolts have been in MCU Phase 1?
From the dark places of the Marvel Comics Universe Geek History Lesson dares to shine a light on the super team - are they heroes? - The Thunderbolts. This team has made it to the big screen world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe led by Bucky Barnes, athough on screen it does not appear to follow the comic book team in the slightest. We explore the similiarities and differences in Thunderbolts media (Spoiler-free!), and ask the big question: should The Thunderbolts have debuted earier in MCU history? One co-host thinks YES and one disagrees! Time to listen to discuss The Thunderbolts!
New Avengers MEGA EPISODE (Photon, Blade, War Machine, Cassie Lang, Ironheart)
This week, in celebration of the upcoming Thunderbolts movie, which might just be the new Avengers team, we’ve assembled some of our favorite New Avengers-themed episodes from the archives for this MEGA EPISODE:
GHL 481: Photon – Explore the cosmic adventures of Monica Rambeau, her ties to Captain Marvel, and her electrifying role with the Avengers.
GHL 474: Blade – Sink your teeth into the origins and undead exploits of Blade, the vampire-hunting Daywalker.
GHL 468: War Machine – Discover the ironclad legacy of James Rhodes, Tony Stark’s closest ally, and his heroic transformation in the Marvel Universe.
GHL 450: Cassie Lang – Follow the journey of Ant-Man’s daughter, from adorable child to teenage hero known as Stature and Stinger.
GHL 437: Ironheart - Riri Williams – Meet the genius teen whose armor rivals Tony Stark's, as she prepares for her own Disney+ adventure.
Daredevil MEGA Episode (Best Daredevil Stories, Daredevil & The Man Without Fear Review)
This week, to celebrate Daredevil’s return in Daredevil: Born Again on Disney+, we’ve assembled some of our favorite Daredevil-themed episodes from the archives for this MEGA EPISODE:
GHL 232: Best Daredevil Stories – Your ultimate guide to Daredevil’s most iconic and essential tales, from Frank Miller’s groundbreaking arcs to modern classics.
GHL 59: Daredevil – A deep dive into Matt Murdock’s life as a lawyer by day and vigilante by night. Bonus: how he makes red spandex look this cool.
GHL 58: Man Without Fear Review – A breakdown of Frank Miller and John Romita Jr.’s legendary origin story for Daredevil. Learn how Matt became the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen.
So grab your billy clubs, embrace the darkness, and join us for this epic celebration of Daredevil! Even if you can’t see what’s coming, trust us—Matt Murdock can.
Avengers MEGA Episode (Falcon, Vision, War Machine & Avengers Film 10th Anniversary Review)
This week, we’re suiting up for a Geek History Lesson MEGA EPISODE celebrating Earth’s Mightiest Heroes: The Avengers! We’ve curated some of our favorite Avengers-themed episodes from the archives for one epic journey through Marvel history.Here’s what’s on the lineup:
GHL 279: Falcon – Follow Sam Wilson’s journey from sidekick to shield-bearer. (Spoiler: his wings are cooler than Tony Stark’s tech. Fight us.)
GHL 352: Vision – Dive into the life of Marvel’s most emotional android, from WandaVision to questioning if robots can cry.
GHL 468: War Machine – Explore the ironclad legacy of James Rhodes, Tony Stark’s best friend and the Avenger who always has your back.
GHL 411: Avengers 10-Year Anniversary – Featuring special guest Brian Ibbott! We revisit the movie that changed superhero cinema forever.
Sit back, relax, and prepare to assemble for this star-studded journey through Avengers history. And don’t miss the post-credits debate: Who’s the best Avenger? (Spoiler: it’s not Hawkeye.)
Why Do Batman and Spider-Man Work So Well in the Future? with DJ Wooldridge
What makes Batman and Spider-Man thrive in futuristic settings? This week on Geek History Lesson, we’re diving into the worlds of Batman Beyond and Spider-Man 2099 to uncover why these characters work so well in the future. Did Batman Beyond borrow ideas from Spider-Man 2099? And which other heroes could shine in a high-tech, dystopian future?Joining us for this sci-fi deep dive is writer and director DJ Wooldridge, who brings his expertise to the conversation and tells us all about his new futuristic comic, DANGER BOI -- a thrilling new Kickstarter project you don’t want to miss! Check out DJ’s comic here: dangerboicomic.com
Why Daredevil & Spider-Man Need an MCU Team-Up Movie (Daredevil: Born Again) with Erik Barnes
With Daredevil: Born Again swinging onto Disney Plus, it’s time to ask the big question: Why haven’t Daredevil and Spider-Man teamed up in the MCU yet?! This week on Geek History Lesson, we dive deep into why these two street-level heroes are perfect for a big-screen collaboration. Not only do we explore their comic book history and shared New York roots, but we also pitch our ideas for MCU Spider-Man 4 and 5, complete with Daredevil taking center stage! And joining us for this epic discussion is special guest Erik Barnes, improvisor, writer, and all-around Marvel expert. Follow Erik here: https://bsky.app/profile/erikwbarnes.bsky.social
Does it Matter Who Wears the Mask Captain America
We’re asking the big question: Does it matter who wears the mask? With the release of Captain America: Brave New World, where Sam Wilson takes up the iconic shield, we dive deep into the debate of whether it’s the character or the mantle that truly defines a hero.From Captain America to Zorro, we explore the fascinating history of legacy characters and how passing the torch has shaped some of the greatest franchises in pop culture. Does the symbol outweigh the individual? Or does the person behind the mask bring the meaning to life?
And that’s not all—joining us for this discussion is special guest Jonathan London, director and writer of Paul London: Hero of the Prophecy, a brand-new comic hitting Kickstarter on February 4th! Don’t miss your chance to support it here: https://herooftheprophecy.com.
Should All Comics be All-Ages?
Should all comics be all-ages? We dive deep into the history of the medium, debate how the darker tones of the 1980s changed comics forever, and discuss whether the industry has become too niche for its own good.With special guest Diego Anthony Nunez (https://www.threads.net/@blackcrow521,) we explore how comics can invite more readers into the fold, the importance of accessibility, and whether there’s still room for both gritty storytelling and family-friendly fun in today’s market.Whether you’re a fan of the grim and gritty or the bright and hopeful, this episode will give you plenty to think about. Tune in as we imagine a future where comics can truly be for everyone!
Star Trek MEGA EPISODE (First Contact, Top 5 TNG Episodes, Star Trek vs Star Wars, Lower Decks, and Wrath of Khan)
In this special Geek History Lesson MEGA EPISODE, we’re celebrating the enduring legacy of Star Trek in honor of the upcoming Star Trek: Section 31 movie, hitting Paramount Plus on January 24, 2025. This jam-packed episode features some of our favorite Star Trek moments from the GHL archives, including:
Star Trek: First Contact LIVE!
Top 5 Star Trek: The Next Generation Episodes (GHL 294) with special guest John Champion from Mission Log: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast.
Star Wars vs. Star Trek (GHL 233), where Ken Napzok joins us to tackle one of the biggest nerd debates of all time.
Star Trek: Lower Decks (GHL 428), a hilarious and heartfelt dive into one of Star Trek’s most unique series.
Wrath of Khan (GHL 416), where we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan with behind-the-scenes stories, favorite moments, and plenty of KHAN TALK!
Plus, Jason shares his excitement about working on the upcoming Star Trek: Section 31 movie, which follows Emperor Philippa Georgiou as she protects the Federation while grappling with the sins of her past. Hear more about his experience on Patreon at patreon.com/jawiin and in our Best & Worst Stories of Star Trek episode.
Star Trek's Best & Worst Episodes
Boldly go where no podcast has gone before! In this episode of Geek History Lesson, we’re diving into Star Trek’s best and worst episodes across the entire franchise. Whether you’re a lifelong Trekkie or brand new to the final frontier, we’ll help you find the perfect episode to start your journey. From the groundbreaking brilliance of The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine to the occasional missteps of The Original Series and beyond, we explore the highs and lows of Star Trek’s incredible legacy. This episode also celebrates the upcoming Star Trek: Section 31 movie hits Paramount Plus on January 24, 2025 and did you know?... Jason worked on it! Set your phasers to fun and join us for this ultimate Trek-filled adventure!
TEX MEN Ep 2 - X-Men 97 Episode 1 & Holiday Special
After months of "technical difficulties", the second episode of TEX MEN is finally here! Tex Willerman and Kurt Wagner, the incredible NIGHTCRAWLER are back, and this time they’re joined by Tex’s old buddy, the mysterious and questionably real Redd Crimson. Together, they dive into the long-awaited first episode of X-Men '97, but don’t worry, it’s not all mutant drama. Tex also drops some fun facts, like how Google was founded, how planes stay in the air and why Sacramento, California is apparently the greatest city in the United States (we’re as confused as you are).It’s a Geek History Lesson holiday special packed with geeky goodness, questionable tangents, and enough chaos to make Wolverine lose his cool.
Featuring: Omar Najam