101 episodes

Champion Casters: A Podcast about Heroes and Craft! analyzes the motifs and themes behind your favorite film and television heroes and everything we say is in comic sans. Each week Michael Ruiz (NextEntry) and Joe Tomlin (JoukTomlin) use their writing and filmmaking knowledge to discuss famous champions across film and television.

Champion Casters: A podcast about heroes and craft Champion Casters: A podcast about heroes and craft

    • TV & Film
    • 5.0 • 13 Ratings

Champion Casters: A Podcast about Heroes and Craft! analyzes the motifs and themes behind your favorite film and television heroes and everything we say is in comic sans. Each week Michael Ruiz (NextEntry) and Joe Tomlin (JoukTomlin) use their writing and filmmaking knowledge to discuss famous champions across film and television.

    Season 2 Hot Ones Challenge! -- A study of one Michael Ruiz

    Season 2 Hot Ones Challenge! -- A study of one Michael Ruiz

    The Hot Ones Challenge is upon us! Since Michael lost our trivia sessions for Season 2, Joe got to interview him with questions that the listeners submitted. At the same time, they both had to eat increasing hot spicy wings. Well these wings were more like vegan nuggets, and the spice was inconsistent, but that's neither here nor there. Michael finally got to talk about things he loves like Final Fantasy, and sexy Riverdale actors! Thank you all for listening this season and submitting questions. Special shoutout and thank you to But Why Tho for giving us a space this season. We'll all be back in the late Fall for Season 3 of Champion Casters! 


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    • 1 hr 10 min
    The Spectacular Spider-Man (tv series): 100th Episode!

    The Spectacular Spider-Man (tv series): 100th Episode!

    The Season Finale of Champion Casters! We've done two seasons of this show (3 total seasons if you've been with us a while) and for our 100th episode we're talking about something near and dear to our hearts, The Spectacular Spider-Man. You may have heard us mention it off-handed in one of our other Spider-person-themed episodes. This is the greatest Spider-Man tv show and probably one of the definitive takes on Peter Parker. It's not perfect, but it's damn amazing a show of this quality got made and was abruptly cancelled. We have a lot to say about this web-head to buckle up for a nice Giant-Sized episode of Champion Casters. Tune in to the end of this episode to find out who lost the trivia challenge this season, we'll be releasing our hot sauce special in the coming weeks. 


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    • 1 hr 54 min
    Thor Odinson from Thor: Love and Thunder

    Thor Odinson from Thor: Love and Thunder

    In season 2 episode 24 of Champion Casters, Michael and Joe find love. . . and some thunder in the newest Thor movie. There are two Thor's in this movie so really there's twice the love and twice the thunder, but that's neither here nor there. Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman are back, both as Thor's looking to rekindle their lightning. This movie is no Thor: Ragnarok, but with Taika Waititi at the helm again, there's still some great humor and heart in this film--more than some people are giving it credit for. Tune in for Michael and Joe to fight for Love. . . yeah and Thunder. 


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    • 1 hr 1 min
    Kamala Khan from Ms. Marvel (Disney+ show) (feat., Swara Salih)

    Kamala Khan from Ms. Marvel (Disney+ show) (feat., Swara Salih)

    In season 2 episode 23 of Champion Casters, Michael and Joe are joined by Swara Salih co-host of But Why Tho?'s Into The Spider-Cast to talk all things Ms. Marvel. Yes we know the show is quite the departure from the comics, but the heart of Kamala was still there. Iman Vellani absolutely embodies the character. And yes, we know the plot gets very complicated in the middle. But the episodes around that are what we will be talking about today. So join us, for a long and excited conversation about pacing, family stories, and genetically modified bird-clones of Thomas Edison. 

    Swara Salih's "If You Loved Ms. Marvel, Here Are 10 More Muslin and South Asian Heroes to Check Out."


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    • 1 hr 5 min
    Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke

    Ashitaka from Princess Mononoke

    In season 2, episode 22 of Champion Casters, Michael and Joe take a detour from superhero antics and talk about environmental justice and Ashitaka's role in Princess Mononoke. Haiyo Miyazaki created a masterpiece of animation that's also an expression of frustration about our industrialism killing the environment and how to live with that. Ashitaka represents the struggle to reconcile, and boy does that feeling still resonate today. This movie was released in like 1997! Michael had barely hatched out of his turtle shell!


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    • 1 hr 6 min
    Virgil Hawkins from Static Shock

    Virgil Hawkins from Static Shock

    Get superhero gifted. In season 2, episode 21 of Champion Casters, Michael and Joe get twisted while watching Static Shock. One of the most popular children's animated shows on television (at the time), Static was fundamental to the Saturday morning cartoon block. Virgil Hawkins was a stand-in for every good-hearted kid, but what makes him and this show special was the dedication to showing children how to be good community members. Yes, this show was the definition of Saturday Morning Cartoon, but it did it very very well. 

    CONTENT WARNING: This episode covers a lot of tough subjects that the show covers like grief, housing instability, gun violence, and racism. 


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    • 1 hr 3 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
13 Ratings

13 Ratings

Magiccleaver ,

Blown Away

I've been listening to Pop the Culture on and off for a couple of months, and by now, it feels like Michael and Joe are my best friends. Such a great, warm atmosphere. And I always walk away feeling like I gained a new perspective.

Hundred Acre Wool ,

Big Friendship Energy

Discovered this podcast randomly looking for discussions about Elf, and I'm in love. I went back and listened to so much good stuff like Star Wars, Stranger Things, and Marvel. Great analysis. High-level comedy. What's not to like?

Kyle Kavalier ,

Warm, friendly, insightful

Listening to this pod feels like listening in on two longtime friends discussing things they care a lot about. Very funny, very warm, and always interesting

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