Category: Podcast

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Recorded August 22nd.  “What are you really up to?”  The premise behind Task Force X as historically plausible.  Amanda Waller’s sales pitch and intentions.  FAQ run down.

“You notice these are criminals?  They’re psychotic antisocial freaks.  It makes no sense . . . I mean, you need real soldiers.  Not these scumbags . . . What are you really up to?“

Answers, insights, and commentary on:

• Amazing Amanda Waller execution
• The Voice of God
• Sympathy for the Devil
• Weird weapons of war
• Project Habakkuk (ice ship) and Project X-Ray (bat bombs)
• David and Goliath and military innovation
• White House Situation Room
• What was pitched and what was actually bought
• People avoid uncertainty but actually like it
• Military Mafia connection
• Unethical human testing
• Why not heroes or soldiers
• Waller and Enchantress
• History of WMD management
• The Dirty Dozen and Filthy Thirteen
• Roy Benavidez

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Can this Squad stop Superman?
• What is the purpose of the rest of the Squad?
• What use is Harley?  Boomerang?  Killer Croc?  Slip Knot?
• What is Waller really up to?
• Why is Katana on the Squad?
• What is the Squad’s purpose generally?
• Why aren’t elite soldiers satisfactory to Waller?
• What is the Squad’s mission specifically?
• Who shot down the first helicopter?
• Why would you send another helicopter?
• Why was GQ and his men on this mission?
• Don’t they compromise the Squad’s covert status?
• Isn’t this expending soldiers for the Squad?
• Wouldn’t two squads of soldiers be better?
• Why couldn’t conventional soldiers win if bombs are effective?
• Why weren’t the supernatural siblings more effective?
• How did Deadshot set off the C4?
• Why did Bruce need Waller’s files?
• Where was The Flash?
• Why didn’t Waller destroy the heart immediately?
• Why didn’t Waller guard Enchantress more carefully?

To learn more:
Fighting Fire With Fire | Wikipedia
Project X-Ray (bat bomb) | Wikipedia
Project Habakkuk (ice ship) | Wikipedia
War In Heaven | Wikipedia
Penal Military Units | Wikipedia
The Dirty Dozen (1967) | IMDb
White House Situation Room | Wikipedia
Lucky Luciano’s deal | Wikipedia
Unethical human experimentation | Wikipedia
Command & Control | Eric Schlosser
Filthy Thirteen | Wikipedia
MSgt. Roy Benavidez | Wikipedia

Web: ManOfSteelAnswers.com
Twitter: @mosanswers
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A special first-draft since I’m away for the next month!  So here’s the “assembly cut” in lieu of dividing it into three polished episodes.

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Recorded August 12th.  “Don’t worry, I still love you.”  Suicide Squad, love & hate, critics, demographics, and punk rock.

Answers, insights, and commentary on:

• Suicide Squad art book the best yet
• Expectations first viewing
• Loving and not liking without contradiction
• Kevin Smith’s commitment
• “Anarchic punk rock art movie”
• Audience demographics opening week
• 81% of African Americans and Hispanics gave the film a positive score
• 76% of audience members under age 35 gave the film a positive score
• Batson Rule of jury selection applied to RT Top Critics
• Gender demographics of critics
• Giving critics appropriate weight
• Punk rock history
  • Universal yearning
  • Punk vs. Prog Rock
  • Ayer’s punk-like courage
  • Sincerity and reality
  • Rebellion threatens establishment
  • Diversity
  • Improvisation and inspiration
  • Effort, blood, sweat, and tears
  • Commercialization
  • Ayer built a family
  • Recognition over time
• Gladwell on Cézanne
• Marjorie Lui on diversity in comics

…and much more!

Interview with David Ayer | Empire
5 Reasons Why Suicide Squad Stayed At The Box Office | Meriah Doty
Suicide Squad Is The Most Diverse Superhero Cast Yet | Graphiq
You Don’t Own Me ft. G-Eazy | Grace
Rock & Roll – Punk (1995) | PBS
Episode 7: Hallelujah | Revisionist History
Marjorie Liu’s Monstress Pushes the Boundaries | New Yorker
“Naughty” – Matilda The Musical | Tim Minchin

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Twitter: @mosanswers
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I’m aware that “anarchic punk rock” is its own sub-genre within punk.  😛

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Segments originally recorded March 29th, April 30th, and July 19th.  Heroes Park monument, memorial, and the Superman statue.

Answers, insights, and commentary on:

• Motif of monuments, memorials, and memory throughout the film
• The Superman statue as political expedience
• A scar on the city
• National September 11 Memorial parallels
• Remember the city as it was, incorporating the city
• Impact of Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Maya Lin’s design, intention, and overcoming criticism
• The certainty of youth
• Chronological listing of names
• Names as a meaningful abstraction
• Symbols of the Wall
• Criticism over abstraction and ambiguity
• Critics can turn anything into a controversy
• Critics upset over the unexpected and unconventional
• Public grieving changed by Vietnam Veterans Memorial
• Accessibility of art beyond the directly connected and invested
• Interpretation and understanding increasing appreciation of art
• Benefits of wonder and awe
• The pose, humility, and abstraction of the statue
• Do heroes have to be known or perfect to get a monument?
• Wallace Keefe’s objections to the statue
• Monuments versus the fluidity of history
• Keefe’s arrest as the central statement
• Superman’s feelings about the statue, being put on a pedestal

…and much more!

Sorry, I don’t have access to Doc’s notes.  He’ll update the show notes with links after Suicide Squad.

Time Out Shortlist Metropolis & Gotham | Dan Wallace (editor)
Dawn of Justice: The Art of the Film | Peter Aperlo
Maya Lin, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 1982 | Smarthistory
American Icons: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial | Studio 360
Maya Lin and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial | Rear Window
Hidden Brain: Great Vacations and Awe | NPR
Heroes are good – let’s make statues of them | Nikolas Lloyd
ISIS destroys ancient artifacts in Mosul | CBS
A History of Controversial Monuments | Eveline van Rijswijk

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Twitter: @mosanswers
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8/8 – Thanks to H.H. for publishing the episode and moderating the site!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:09:17 — 63.7MB) | Embed

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Recorded July 9th, less than 12 hours after viewing.  First impressions to the Ultimate Edition of Batman v. Superman (via VUDU) after one continuous play through, skimming some extras, and going back to pause at select points.

Apologies in advance for the rambling sure to come!  Answers, insights, and commentary on:

• Overall Impressions
• Subtlety and symbolism of drinks as delusion
• Repetition, parallels, references, homage, call-backs, continuity
• Jimmy Olsen’s death and Clark Kent’s return
• Approaching BvS with mass resurrection in mind
• New rules for reality
• Justice League set visit excitement
• Recruitment reflecting negotiating with audience
• Realism reinvigorating comics in every era
• Heavy Metal magazine influence
• Smoother transitions
• Function of flamethrower in Nairomi
• New line says Lex Senior was a liar
• Perry White’s tragic story arcs
• Colorado flood rescue dilemma
• Superman’s public powers and limitations
• Lex’s kinship with Doomsday
• Knowing lets you go dark for the coming light

…and much more ramblings!

Secret Origin clip features Ryan Reynolds, Dwayne McDuffie, Paul Levitz, Geoff Johns, Dan Didio, Denny O’Neil, Mark Waid, and Neil Gaiman.

7/22/16 Update: I figured out the logic of planning for the flamethrower.  Not for the locals, the CIA, the press, for witnesses, or eliminating evidence.  The burnt bodies gave Kahina the cover-story to excuse your lie in the eyes of Lois and Clark.  Yes, Lex could have had Kahina lie about fire even if Anatoli didn’t burn bodies but then Lois and Clark would be on to Kahina immediately.  They’d know she was lying.  L&C might not be able to prove it, but it would get them investigating rather than doubting themselves.  Lex ordered Anatoli to burn bodies because while L&C know Superman didn’t use heat-vision, they could still believe that Kahina would come to that conclusion and testify about it.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (4K Ultra HD) | Director: Zack Snyder
Justice League Set Visit Recap | Collider
Alexander The Great vs Ivan The Terrible | Epic Rap Battle
Diana’s treasure. Action 1, Detective 31, Detective 27, and Superman 1! | MOSanswers
Secret Origin: The Story of DC Comics (2009) | Narrator: Ryan Reynolds
What Is An Existential Crisis? | The School of Life
The Suicide Squadcast | Tim, Scott, and Brent
Justice League Universe Podcast | Sam and Alessandro

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:29:55 — 82.6MB) | Embed

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Our introduction to Kryptonite in Batman v. Superman, its properties and use.

Getting into the science of minerals, materials, radiation, and projectiles.  Why make a Kryptonite spear?  Why not Kryptonite bullets, blades, or bludgeons?

Something more meaningful than the gift of a Kryptonite ring.

Answers, insights, and commentary on:

• Properties of a mineral
• Properties of Kryptonite
• Weaponizing Kryptonite
• Why Kryptonite glows
• Kryptonian bio-interactions
• Wisps of smoke during scalpel cut
• Radioactive half-life
• Biological half-life
• Ballistic penetration
• Lightsaber design language
• In praise of production design
• Pathology of Kryptonite gas
• Entrusting Kryptonite
• How to give hope

…and a bonus round of random topics:

• What altitude did Superman?
• Super-speed stories
• Bringing Clark back
• DC Rebirth
• Allegory
• Allergy

Note: Lightsaber design language, form follows function, and spearhead geometry | Various

Minerals and Blades
Botryoidal mineral texture | Wiki
BvS Spoiler Special with Zack Snyder | Empire Podcast
Stone Blade Surgery | PBS
Obsidian Surgery Scalpels | CNN
Glass Knife | Wiki
Diamond Knife | Wiki
Diamond LaserKnife | ASDS

Radiation
The Batman Superman Movie | WB Animation
Silver Bullet | Wiki
Radioactivity: Expect the unexpected – Steve Weatherall | TED-Ed
Is radiation dangerous? – Matt Anticole | TED-Ed
How does radiation sickness work? | BrainStuff
The Radium Girls | SciShow

Bullets
Army Special Forces: “Silent Warriors” (1961) | US Army
Modern Crossbow vs. Modern Body Armor | twangNbang
Momentum, Kinetic Energy, & Arrow Penetration | Dr. Ashby
Tungsten: The perfect metal for bullets | BBC
Firewalking | Wiki
Discoveries from the Inside – Designing the Lightsaber | Star Wars
Return of the Jedi Fake Script Story| Howard Kazanjian
FN SCAR® Mk 13 EGLM | FN
Alpha Particle | Wiki

Extras
Everything is a Remix: The Force Awakens | Kirby Ferguson
Justice League: The New Frontier | Darwyn Cooke
Radioactive (Cover) – Happy Sad Songs | Gregory Brothers

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Remember #memorialday

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A sentimental essay and subjective exploration of Clark’s character arc and the birth of the superhero.

Briefly revisiting Man of Steel to find a beautiful truth in Batman v. Superman we can all apply.

Understanding and empathizing with Clark’s burden beyond just bearing the weight of criticism.  Refusing to take Superman the symbol for granted.

Answers, insights, and commentary on:

• A beautiful lie, the ugly truth, an ugly lie, a beautiful truth
• The beautiful truth beheld by Martha and Jonathan
• Jonathan always dreamed of the Superman
• What is the Superman? = What is the superhero?
• Erring on psychology rather than unerring icon
• Not taking “good is a conversation” for granted
• How dialogue (lines) sacrifices dialogue (conversation)
• Lois possibly picking the Superman over Clark
• Clark feeds, Darkseid hungers, Superman teaches all to feed themselves
• Clark counting the cost of the Superman, an uncertain symbol, with Martha
• Batman is not a superhero until Superman shows him
• Not a misunderstanding of Superman, pursuing an understanding of Superman
• Clark’s consistent characterization on the hotel balcony
• Paradox of hope and protection challenges Clark’s faith
• Showing how Clark works out his values, ethics, and morals
• Twice Lois says, “You came back.”
• Lex knows he seeks to spread a lie
• Superman is one… Superman dies… the superhero is born
• Death protects Superman while expanding the superhero for his return
• The Justice League works out the logistics and expands the definition
• Superman was inspired by us
• You are not alone

…and more.

How deterrence is changing, explained by Defense Secretary Ash Carter | Vox
The Irony of Cheese | Zack Snyder
Zack Snyder Loves Superman and BvS Proves It | Mark Hughes
BvS: How I surprised myself and fell in love with this film | Brett Culp
Look to the Sky (2016) #SupermanIsReal | The Rising Heroes Project
Superhero Psychology | Huffington Post

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:44:19 — 95.7MB) | Embed

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Lex wasn’t just manic and unhinged, but a calculating criminal mastermind.  Understanding and walking through Lex’s motives and machinations.

But first, two critical approaches: fault-finding vs. seeking. Superman’s status quo in-story and Superman cinematic strategy.  Then was BvS joyless?  A quick joke list.

Answers, insights, and commentary on:

• Michelangelo’s Pietà – critical approach
• Tuna fish, sashimi, tuna melt, nigiri, California roll – expectations and taste
• Superman is honored and loved before BvS – status quo
• How does BvS position Superman for JL?
• What Lex knew and when
• How Lex knows their secret identities
• How metahumans change Lex’s plan
• Why Lex doesn’t just kill Superman
• What was Lex trying to accomplish in Africa
• Why Lex isn’t worried about being traced
• Why the evidence was suppressed
• Superman didn’t kill the General rescuing Lois
• Why ask for an import license if smuggling it
• How Senator Finch pushes Lex’s buttons
• How Bruce is “blind as a bat” in the light
• Lex intended for Bruce to steal the files
• Why Lex has a meltdown during his speech
• How Lex fools Finch, Bruce, Mercy, Keefe, & Clark
• Why Batman and Superman weren’t in Lex’s files
• Why Bruce doesn’t suspect conspiracy with Keefe
• Why it takes Lois to trace Keefe to Lex
• Why Lex bombing the Senate hearing is brilliant
• Why Lex didn’t enter the Ship after the fingerprints
• Why Lex did enter the Scout Ship after the bombing
• How Lex transcends into a supervillain
• Why they didn’t let Superman speak
• How the Scout Ship changes Lex’s priorities and plan
• Why Batman is Lex’s Dark Knight
• Why Lex unleashes Doomsday
• What was the plan before Doomsday?

…and more.

Michelangelo’s Pietà – An Analysis | Spencer’s Painting of The Week
The Problem of Evil | Wikipedia
Existential Crisis | Wikipedia
Pontius Pilate | Wikipedia
Prometheus | Wikipedia
Let Them Eat Cake | Wikipedia
My Ears Are Cold | The Sonic Wombat

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Twitter: @mosanswers
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#RenewYoungJustice

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An inspection of Batman through the lens of Superman and their historic impact and influence upon each other.  Batman’s commercial origins and influences, historic popularity and comparisons, The Dark Knight Returns, and modern media movies, TV, and videogames.

Clips featuring: Henry Cavill, Jim Steranko, Mark Waid, Denny O’Neil, Kevin Smith, Paul Levitz, Jerry Robinson, Neal Adams, Grant Morrison, Mike Carlin, Bruce Timm, Charles Roven, Len Wein, Frank Miller, Neil Gaiman, Geoff Johns, J. Michael Straczynski, Todd MacFarlane, Zack Snyder, Christopher Nolan, Kevin Conroy, Jay Oliva, and more!

Answers, insights, and commentary on:

• Batman’s influences other than The Shadow
• Views of machines, technology, and industry
• Mythological and Homeric parallels
• Popularity polls and Ebert’s review
• Batman as an avatar for anger
• Views on civilization and mankind
• Bat-Fan openness to interpretation
• Batman exemplar of effort – Superman gift of grace
• One bad day

…and more.

Henry Cavill Asks Kids: Batman or Superman? | Omaze
Jesse Eisenberg Asks Comic Fans: Batman or Superman? | Omaze
Win The Ultimate Batman v. Superman Experience | Omaze
Supergods: What Masked Vigilantes… | Grant Morrison
Comic Book Superheroes Unmasked | History
Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle | PBS
Superheroes!: Capes, Cowls, and… | Maslon & Kantor
Superman: The High Flying History… | Larry Tye
Our Gods Wear Spandex | Chris Knowles
Batman Tech | History
Batman Unmasked: The Psychology of… | History
Batkid Begins | Dana Nachman
Interview with Jay Oliva | Hall of Justice
Batman: Bad Blood | WB Animation
The Dark Knight Returns | Frank Miller
The Dark Knight Returns Deluxe | WB Animation
Batman The Animated Series | Warner Home Video
Batman Brave and The Bold | WB Animation
Batman Beware The Bat | WB Animation
Batman (1989) | Tim Burton
Batman The Complete Series (1966) | Adam West
The Killing Joke Radio Drama | School of Movies
The Killing Joke | Alan Moore
Exclusive Interview with Zack Snyder | Turkish Airline
The New Batman / Superman Adventures Theme | Shirley Walker

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Twitter: @mosanswers
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Software Generated Transcript

Happy Birthday Superman!
Happy 30th Anniversary TDKR
BvS tickets on sale now!
#RenewYoungJustice

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 56:16 — 51.7MB) | Embed

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Two short fables (an Aesop fable The Bat and the Weasels and the Chinese proverb The Old Man of The Frontier Loses His Horse) and an original Elseworlds idea Man of Steel: Lost Horse.

Answers, insights, and commentary on:

• What if Clark tried to save Jonathan from the tornado?
• How would the world react?
• How would the government respond?
• What happens to Clark?
• Does Zod still come to Earth?

…and more.

Cross Fire: An Original Companion Novel | Michael Kogge
The Bat and The Weasels | Aesop
The Old Man of the Frontier Loses His Horse | Learn Chinese Now
The Story of the Chinese Farmer | Sustainable Human
Superheroes: A Never-Ending Battle | PBS
Superheroes!: Capes, Cowls, and the Creation of Comic Book Culture | Maslon & Kantor

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Twitter: @mosanswers
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Software Generated Transcript

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 38:32 — 35.5MB) | Embed

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Fast impressions and reactions to the Batman v. Superman Final Trailer and the Turkish Airlines Metropolis and Gotham TV Spots.

Answers, insights, and commentary on:

• Alfred as Batman’s partner
• Batman pushing edge of reality
• Directing Bruce Wayne
• Canonicity of promotional materials
• Catching Superman on camera

…and more.

Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice – Final Trailer | Warner Bros. Pictures
Fly to Gotham City with Turkish Airlines! | Turkish Airlines
Fly to Metropolis with Turkish Airlines! | Turkish Airlines
Metropolis City Guide | Turkish Airlines
Gotham City Guide | Turkish Airlines
Partnership “Flight” into the World of Batman v Superman | Turkish Airlines
Kill Bill: Volume 1 Track 9 | Tomoyasu Hotei

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Software Generated Transcript

Enjoy the long weekend!