Tag Archives: comic book men

TV Review: Comic Book Men – Episode 309 – Superman’s 75th

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comic book menIn this episode of Comic Book Men, a customer buys a gift for his dad’s 75th birthday which reminds Walt that Superman is also 75. The Stash throws a party, inviting a special guest.

It’s interesting that it took a customer to remind Walt and the team that it was Superman’s 75th birthday, and it might be a good idea to do some sort of promotion surrounding that. For stores, it’s a perfect time to do some grand promotion and help their business.

The Superman-centric episode is pretty fun, even bringing up some great Superman history like Lois Lane’s changing race in an issue.

The guys not only decided to promote the anniversary, but go over the top with it all, throwing a party that any shop and fan would appreciate. With food, costumes, ice sculptures and a special guest, this had it all.

The episode brought a smile to my face, there was something fun about it all, and you can see the guys had fun and so did those that attended. While it wasn’t the best episode for the show, it was a nice start to the second half of the season. The show and guy’s enthusiasm is infectious, and this episode is an example of that.

Featuring: Ming Chen, Kevin Smith, Walt Flanagan, Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic
Overall Score: 7.5

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The Walking Dead Midseason Finale Dominates in Ratings

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the walking dead season 4While The Walking Dead‘s midseason finale didn’t reach the record breaking numbers the premier hit, it still was a massive success. The action packed episode left 12.1 million viewers jaws on the floor with a 6.1 (7.7 million adults) in the key 18-49 demographic. The third season’s miseason finale brought in 10.49 million viewers and earned 5.4 in that same demographic. The series clearly is gaining since last season.

The Walking Dead returns to AMC on Sunday, February 9 at 9pm followed by Talking Dead at 10pm and Comic Book Men at midnight which has had a consistent 1 million viewers.

The Walking Dead is a massive success and is the #1 show in the 18-49 demographic and remains the highest-rated series in the history of cable television. The first eight episodes of its fourth season delivered an average of 13 million viewers and 8.4 million adults 18-49.

The Talking Dead midseason finale had 6 million viewers, including 3.8 million adults 18-49. The show has averaged 4.5 million viewers and 3 million adults 18-49. That’s an increase of 128% since the first half of its second season and up 120% in the coveted 18-49 demo.

From a press release, key Nielsen highlights for the midseason (season four) finale of The Walking Dead:

9 pm airing – 6.5 HH rating
9 pm airing – 12.1 million viewers
9 pm airing – 7.7 million adults 18-49

Key Nielsen highlights (averages) for the first eight episodes of The Walking Dead season four:

9 pm airing – 6.8 HH rating
9 pm airing – 13.0 million viewers
9 pm airing – 8.4 million adults 18-49

Key Nielsen highlights for the mid-season (season three) finale of Talking Dead:

10 pm airing – 3.2 HH rating
10 pm airing – 6.0 million viewers
10 pm airing – 3.8 million adults 18-49

Key Nielsen highlights (averages) for the first eight episodes of Talking Dead season three:

10 pm airing – 2.4 HH rating
10 pm airing – 4.5 million viewers
10 pm airing – 3.0 million adults 18-49

The Walking Dead also flexes its muscle on social media. It was the top show on Twitter with 880,450 show-related Tweets from 391,210 unique authors, generating a total of 43.9 million impressions, according to Nielsen SocialGuide. Twitter activity peaked at 9:48 p.m. EST with 31,861 Tweets-per-minute, representing 83 percent of all television-related Twitter activity at that time. The Walking Dead was also the #1 program for the day in TV-related social media Twitter activity, including the mid-season finale and seven previous episodes that ran during a catch-up marathon on AMC, with the most unique authors and total Tweets. The mid-season finale also generated a number of simultaneous trending topics including #TheWalkingDead, TWD, Hershel, RIP Hershel, Not Hershel and #PrisonShowdown.

You can check out our review here.

TV Review: Comic Book Men – Episode 308 – Cryptozoic Launch

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comic book menIn this episode of Comic Book Men, the guys head to the Baltimore Comic Con to launch their comic book, Cryptozoic Man. Meanwhile, Sunday Jeff works on a Saturday to fill in for Walt.

I’ve been waiting for this episode as I was at Baltimore Comic Con, and only saw one of the guys walking through the crowd, so I was mostly unaware of how the convention went for them. I don’t remember seeing them on Saturday and I wasn’t there on Sunday, so no idea what happened. It was great seeing them at the show and the fan reaction as well as how they reacted to the fans. They were goofy, and made some cracks, but they all came off as very appreciative and in awe of the fans. Baltimore is a fantastic show, and if folks are in the area, it’s easily one of the best to go to, for exactly the reasons they show, you get to interact with creators.

Also entertaining was watching Sunday Jeff, someone I think has only been mentioned in passing, but I don’t think seen so far. Watching his interaction with customers is more of the comic store clerk that I’m more used to.

Overall, there was some solid pride and accomplishment shown off at the convention during the show. While what I did see myself differs from what was shown, the appreciation of the team was evident. It was nice to see the comic get pitched, to it being launched. A solid episode that wraps up that bit of the series.

Featuring: Ming Chen, Kevin Smith, Walt Flanagan, Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic
Overall Score: 7.75

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TV Review: Comic Book Men – Episode 307 – Dukes of Jersey

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comic book menIn this episode of Comic Book Men, a Dukes of Hazzard fan stops by the shop in his General Lee to show off his collection of show memorabilia. Also, Walt encounters his first “brony.”

It’s amazing what gets licensed from various properties and we see that right away with the fan walking in with a box full of items from the Dukes of Hazzard. There was some interesting items he’s trying to sell, and the boys each grab something. But, what’s cool is the fan has his own General Lee, which the boys take a ride in. The car is really impressive and shows off the fandom. What’s weird is seeing all of the Confederate flags with no comments about any of it.

The interaction with the My Little Pony fan is amazing. Watching the reaction of Walt, Mike, Bryan and Ming when “brony” is mentioned is awesome. We had a discussion about them this past summer when I was at Gen Con, and to say that discussion was spirited is an understatement. They had to have edited stuff out of that section.

This episode also has a lot of the random discussions that make the episodes great including what the appropriate age it is to see rated R movies, and who would play you in a movie.

The show ends on a nice note as Walt lets something go to a guy trying to do a good thing.

Overall, another entertaining episode of a show that seems to always put a smile on my face.

Featuring: Ming Chen, Kevin Smith, Walt Flanagan, Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic
Overall Score: 7.5

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TV Review: Comic Book Men – Episode 306 – Walt’s Big Gamble

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comic book menIn this episode of Comic Book Men, the boys at the Stash try to strike it big bidding on derelict storage units. Also, Walt geeks out with a fellow Elfquest fanatic.

The episode early on goes into the Elfquest purchase and that part hits home. The discussion revolves around the fact that for us geeks, we’re outsiders and we grab onto something that we like and might relate to, or allows us to escape.  It’s a real discussion that’s honest and we can all relate to.

For some reason Walt is also under the impression that these storage locker shows are real and not staged. This leads him and the crew heading to an auction to try their luck where they bid on and win a locker with some solid money being spent. The result needs to be seen as it makes me believe in the show more and that it isn’t staged for our entertainment… like those storage shows.

Overall, it’s a solid episode like last week that had me laughing out loud at moments and cringing, just like the guys on the show.

Featuring: Ming Chen, Kevin Smith, Walt Flanagan, Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic
Overall Score: 8

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TV Review: Comic Book Men – Episode 305 – Pity the Fools

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comic book menIn this episode of Comic Book Men, a superfan sells his Mr. T backyard water game and inspires Ming to have some cool fun on a hot day.  And Walt puts the shop’s street cred on the line.

The fifth episode is the usual mix of folks looking to purchase and sell items. The discussions are humorous and fun and the episode is much more of what I remember working in a comic book shop.

Particularly what stood out is two moments, including a person trying to sell their comic book cards as well as a person coming into the shop in some cosplay. The two together were moments I both experienced at my shop. The one being a person trying to sell something that once had value and we had boxes in the basement. Instead of them selling me items, I’d talk them into leaving, and leaving with more than they wanted.

The other thing is a woman who walks in dressed as Aquaman which seems to irritate Walt Flanagan while getting Ming Chen a bit excited. It’s a funny exchange where Walt just seems to be annoyed by the sexy take on the character. An irritation I remember having numerous times, maybe not over that, but other interactions with customers when I worked in a shop where I was annoyed at their costume or going on about their gaming character. It was a real moment where the elitism I expect from a comic shop bled through a little.

The episode ended with some visuals I wish I could get out of my head involving the guys and a water war that I can’t believe they did. Overall, it’s an episode that put a big smile on my face and had me laughing often and throughout…. and got me to miss working in a comic book shop.

Featuring: Ming Chen, Kevin Smith, Walt Flanagan, Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic
Overall Score: 8

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TV Review: Comic Book Men – Episode 304 – USS Ming

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comic book menIn the fourth episode of the third season of Comic Book Men, the episode lays heavy on the schmaltz, with lots of moments that show our favorite geeks also have pretty big hearts.

We know many of the folks on the show are married, but we rarely see a romantic or caring side of them. It’s usually jokes and smart ass comments. This episode it leans heavily in the other direction. The guys help purchase some toys to help fund a cool project for doctors, another for charity and another to help a husband pay for a date and treat his wife well. It’s all very cute and shows the family and charitable side of it all.

But, with all of that, there’s also the usual smart ass jokes and fun debates that have you thinking. No matter how sweet it all gets, it’s the same ole guys.

The episode continues a trend since last week’s solid episode of getting better and better each week.

Featuring: Ming Chen, Kevin Smith, Walter, Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic
Overall Score: 7.75

TV Review: Comic Book Men – Episode 303 – Super Friends

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comic book menIn the third episode of the third season of Comic Book Men, the episode mixes the usual goings on of a comic shop, history and some heart.

In this episode on the “store” end of things we get a fan looking to buy a Howard the Duck comic, one wanting to sell a Tarzan toy, and a third looking to sell some comic book records. All three are nice, in that they serve as ways to teach more about geekdom. What the show does really well is weave in the history of items, and the love of those particular items by the fans looking to buy and sell them. As usual it’s a nice break, and that’s what they are, breaks between the greater story. This week’s involves story employee Mike Zapcic.

Zapcic was greatly impacted by Hurricane Sandy, losing his collection estimated at about $33,000 we learn. It’s a reminder of the devastation and recovery that so many in New Jersey are still going through. Which leads the guys to help him start his collection up again. It’s really nice and touching and does a lot. It reminds us of the devastation, but it also shows off the deep friendship between the folks on the show. There’s some great moments overall and highlights the friendship that we make from our fandoms.

There is a fundraising idea that’s mentioned in the show, but dropped, hopefully we’ll see something of it, because it’s a great idea.

Overall, the show was one of the better ones mixing humor and heart.

Featuring: Ming Chen, Kevin Smith, Walter, Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic
Overall Score: 7.75

TV Review: Comic Book Men – Episode 302 – To The Bat Cave

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comic book menIn the second episode of the third season, Walt and the guys get invited to an actual bat cave and a customer wants to sell his collection of original Star Wars action figures. Exciting times at the Secret Stash!

What’s solid about the series is that it mixes entertainment and education showing off the wares they sell and why they might be important. And really, the love of geekdom is exuded by them. A lot of that comes from the random conversations they have in the store. I remember having similar conversations when I worked in stores, both within the staff and with those coming into the store. There’s always the simple “who would win in a fight,” but as Comic Book Men shows us more and more, debates can vary, and there’s something fun about having them.

That’s embodied by the person in the store to buy a Batman toy and one to sell their Star Wars toys. There’s history and love told by each. The latter with his Star Wars explaining how these toys came about, a nice mix of history and nostalgia.

The Batman fan loves Batman so much he build his own bat cave, hidden away in his home. That example of fandom has been examined once in a while in shows and movies. While the experience starts off a little weird, hell I don’t know if I would enter, there was something geeky about it. At least they discussed the weird beginning of it all. But the enthusiasm and excitement when things gets rolling is a bit infectious. It’s something most of us geeks would love to do, love to show off and dedicate space proudly. The dedication here is impressive and worth watching the episode for. I’m absolutely doing something like this when I eventually have my own home. I might not spend as much time as him in that room, but it’s really cool.

Comic Book Men isn’t about selling items or the reality of working in a comic book store, it’s about fandom and celebrating what we get enjoyment from.

Featuring: Ming Chen, Kevin Smith, Walter, Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic
Overall Score: 7.5

TV Review: Comic Book Men – Episode 301 – The Incredible Bulk

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comic book menThe third season of Comic Book Men kicked off with the usual geekiness and fun we’ve come to expect. In this first episode Lou Ferrigno visited the Stash to give Bryan Johnson a lesson in fitness and a customer wants to buy a key comic by legendary artist and writer, Frank Miller.

I worked about 6 years in comic book shops and let me tell you, it was much crazier than what this show would have you believe.

What I enjoy about the show is that it’s a lot of fun. There’s something about it that puts a smile on my face between their discussions and smart ass comments. Here we get some jokes about Affleck as Batman among other discussions.

When I saw that Lou Ferrigno was on the show, I rolled my eyes, thinking “yet another celebrity just randomly stopping by.” But, the reason here’s there is much more realistic, as it can get. Kevin Smith decided to hire Ferrigno to help cast member Bryan Johnson get into shape. Not totally down to earth, but at least it makes sense why he’s there. But, what’s cool is you get some history on Johnson, and his skinnier past, rounding him out a bit. There’s also lots of discussion about Ferrigno and he gives some fun info about his time as the Hulk. We’re also shown some easy workouts we can all do. Not only do we see exercises, but also a discussion of diet. To see discussion of health of the show is great. There was something a bit inspirational about it all.

While the situations presented aren’t near my experiences working in a comic book shop, but the show is fun. It’s a bunch of friends hanging out in a comic shop, and a podcast, talking comics. And that, I can relate to.

Featuring: Ming Chen, Kevin Smith, Walter, Bryan Johnson, Mike Zapcic
Overall Score: 7.5

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