Trentus Magnus Punches Reality

In this week's ball-medicating episode, a very sick Magnus coughs and sneezes his way through an explanation as to why there isn't an episode of the Big Book Report this week. Technically one had never been announced so this isn't really breaking any promises. So there's that, eh? Eh, listeners? Eh? Anyway. And so it was that His Excellency had to find a different subject to talk about this week. And, as fate would have it, his gaze fell upon Superboy- The Series. This 80's oddity from the 80's makes for very enticing subject matter for discussion. And as it happens, Magnus shares a theory! A fan theory! Your wise emperor suggests a new interpretive framework for Superboy- The Series as well as the tie-in comic book. Speaking of the comic book, that gets a little time in the sun here as well. So what more do you need? Pop some NyQuil, turn up the volume and listen to your leader share more of his wisdom. And coughs! Yes, there are many coughs all through this episode. But you take the bad with the good, eh? E

In this week's ball-jamming episode, Magnus begins something. Something new. Something exciting. Something musical! Yes indeed, beginning this week is Musical Magnus, an irregular feature of Trentus Magnus Punches Reality that will appear on the show whenever your wise leader feels like making one. To inaugurate the beginning of the launch of the Musical Magnus start-up premiere, Tom Panarese from the Pop Culture Affidavit and In-Country podcasts was persuaded (by a crowbar, a blow torch and a set of jumper cables) into joining in! And what is this adventure's album, you ask? Why, it's none other than R.E.M.'s 1991 effort 'Out of Time'. Yes, R.E.M.'s major label breakthrough into mainstream commercial success! Did Magnus and Panarese love and cherish this album? Or did they loathe and mock it? A better question to ask would be why they'd spend nearly three hours talking about an album if they despised it. Points are raised, songs are analyzed, music is critiqued, tangents are followed to their meandering conc

Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast. Or something, hell if I know. The point though is that Magnus fell in love with the greats of classical music about two'ish years ago. Now is your chance to follow your beloved emperor on an excursion; a musical journey, one might say. And in the bargain, you'll hear bits of the five classical music pieces Magnus can't get out of his head. If you enjoy this episode and want to hear it done better, swing on by Professor Alan's page and listen to his Top 10 Wagnerian Jams show.

In this week's ball-webbing episode, Magnus finishes the conclusion of the finale of Tremendous Bendis Weekly, a megaseries dedicated to some comics written by Brian Michael Bendis that are actually pretty rad. Yes. Rad. Say it out loud, you'll feel better. Rad... Anyway, these Bendis comics are mad, bad and rad. And that's why His Excellency is spending so much freaking time talking about Bendis, you see! The main reason for all this is because of the fact that, let's face it, Bendis has his fair share of detractors. Whatever the origin of all this belly-aching might be, a lot of comic mavens give Bendis comics the cold shoulder. Or they turn their backs on them. Or they turn their cold backs to the shoulder. Or some freaking expression. But Magnus is having none of that, boys and girls! Yes indeed, kiddos, while Magnus is hardly a Bendis devotee (particularly lately), it would be accurate to say that His Excellency has enjoyed several Bendis stories and, it so happens, was in a mood to gab about some Bendis

I'd usually put together some kind of smartass blurb here but I put together the art for this episode using Gimp, the frustration from which is beginning to tempt me into smashing my computer into a thousand pieces and scattering the splinters to the wind. You'll take what you get and you'll like it. Oh, and I talk about religion in this episode. Listener discretion is not only advised, it is actively encouraged.

In this week's ball-stretching episode, Magnus resumes the ongoing continuation of the proceeding of Tremendous Bendis Weekly, a megaseries dedicated to some comics written by Brian Michael Bendis that are actually pretty kewl. Remember when people used to type "kewl"? And wasn't it rad? Maybe not... Anyway, these Bendis comics are pretty rad though and that's why His Excellency is spending so much freaking time talking about them! The main reason for that is because Bendis certainly has his share of detractors. Whatever the cause of the discontent might be, a lot of comic mavens turn their noses up merely at the name "Bendis" in the credits. But Magnus is having none of that, ladies and gentlemen! Yes indeed, kiddos, while Magnus is hardly a Bendis devotee (particularly lately), it would be accurate to say that His Excellency has enjoyed several Bendis stories and, it so happens, was in a mood to gab about some Bendis stories. And, to finally get to the point here, the spotlight shines this week on the 'Fant

What does Magnus want from the DCEU? Frankly, His Excellency rather enjoys most of what's come so far. But is this the *IDEAL*? Not really. So because Magnus had nothing better to do, here's a 20'ish minute discussion on what His Excellency's ideal DCEU would be. How similar *IS* it to what we currently have? Well, answering that here sort of defeats the purpose of listening to this Very Special Trentus Magnus Jabs Reality, now doesn't it? Suffice it to say, the answer is not what you think. What ever you're thinking, it's totally wrong and the complete opposite of what Magnus wants. Even if two people reading this blurb have totally opposite ideas, they're still both wrong because they're both somehow totally the opposite. Capice? Listen and learn, boys and girls!

In this week's ball-blinding episode, Magnus continues the ongoing progression of the unfolding of the protracted furthering of Tremendous Bendis Weekly. Y'see, boys and girls, Brian Michael Bendis, though widely popular, has his share of detractors. The potential causes are almost too numerous to mention: his writing style, his prolificacy or his wanton fixation for really freaking long storytelling. I mean, seriously, the guy could hardly be accused of writing for the trade anymore; at one point, it was more like he was writing for the omnibus. Or it's possible that some of the summer of our Bendis discontent is the product of all those things happening at once simultaneously in concert with each other together all at the same time! Whatever the case, a lot of comic mavens bristle merely at the name "Brian Michael Bendis" in the writer's credit. This sort of thing is a bit trendy on the Internet. Or it was at one time, anyway. But Magnus is having none of it, ladies and gentlemen! Yes indeed, kiddos, while

No BS this week, Magnus is exhausted. This week's shows continues the Tremendous Bendis Weekly megaseries. The Secret War limited series from 2004 is the focus. Enjoy!

Magnus has a new job. Magnus is off to order a pizza now. Good night.

A new week! A new mega series! And, yes, a new theme song. It was time. So anyhoo, in this week's ball-breaking episode, Magnus inaugurates the beginning of the launch of the initial episode of the start of Tremendous Bendis Weekly. Y'see, kiddies, Brian Michael Bendis is one of those comic pros who epitomizes the wise old adage "Familiarity breeds contempt". It could be his writing style. It could be his, shall we say, minimalistic style of writing. Or it could all be totally legitimate! But whatever the case, a lot of comic geeks grouse and complain when they see the name "Brian Michael Bendis" in the writer section of their comics. It's sort of a thing on the Internet. Well, His Excellency is having none of it! Or very little of it anyway. A moderate level of it! Yes indeed, kiddies, while Magnus is no Bendis devotee, it would still be fair to say that he's enjoyed a bigly number of Bendis comics and, by golly, felt like reading and then, God knows, gabbing about a bigly number of Bendis comics. And, to fi

In this week's ball-stalking episode, Magnus continues his increasingly disaffected look back at the dreaded fourth season of Smallville. This is the *DREADED* season 4. That's the bad news. And the even worse news is the episodes discussed in this show, namely Jinx, Spell, Bound, Scare, Unsafe and (as a bonus) Pariah, are where the dreaded season 4 *BECOMES* the dreaded season 4. Prior to this point, the dreaded fourth season was pretty tolerable. Or even really awesome in some cases! But beginning here, the dreaded season 4 begins a decline from which it never really recovers. Needless to say, we fans had no idea what was in store for us. And most sadly of all, the worst is still to come. For those determined to ruin the Internet for everyone else by perpetuating click-bait on Facebook, "You won't believe the idea Magnus had for fixing Smallville's problem with Mxyzptlk!!" Due to the deluge of ass-kickery, unfortunately there's just no time for listener feedback this week. However, there has been a fair amo

In this week's ball-freaking episode, Magnus and his loyal sidekick Chris Honeywell conclude the Big Book Report. This week, the curtain rises on the Big Book of Freaks. Much is said about the freaks and weirdos of history. Midgets, sideshow attractions, lobster boys, it's all talked about this week! Eventually. But first Magnus and Honeywell talk about food. At great length. All different kinds of food too. Yes, including Explosive Taquerias. So if you're hungry, you'll want to grab a snack before listening to this show. You know how it's usually a bad idea to go shopping when you're hungry? Same deal here. It's a *REALLY* bad idea to listen to podcasts when you're hungry. Especially this particular podcast. So get your snack-on ahead of time. Also this week, the usual Trentus Magnus Punches Reality theme song nears retirement. This episode is one of the last times you'll hear it. At least for right now. All in all, big doings this week! So what more do you want? Download this episode through iTunes, your br

In this week's ball-searing episode, Magnus concludes the Barbara Gordon/Dick Grayson megaseries. The focus of these episodes has been the evolution of their relationship, which is sometimes cordial and sometimes not. This week, it's committed, confused, romantic and rejected. But never all of those things at the time, thankfully! The idea for this megaseries came from a Batman comic book reading project your wise emperor fell into not very long at all before recording these episodes. Oddly enough, that was the first His Excellency had even heard of the Babs/Dick relationship! It was a totally new idea here! This week Birds of Prey #8 and Nightwing Annual #2 come under the microscope and Magnus goes into long, laborious depth as to the nuances and subtleties of the story. Or stories. These issues see Dick and Barbara try but never quite manage to get on the same page with one another. And how does Kory fit into all this anyway? Last of all, Trentus Magnus Punches Reality has always depended on music. The thin

In this week's ball-tearing episode, Magnus continues a Barbara Gordon/Dick Grayson megaseries, the focus of which revolves around the evolution of their relationship. At times it's romantic while other times it's more like a sibling rivalry. The idea for this megaseries came from a Batman comic book reading project your emperor embarked upon not long before recording these episodes. That is when the Babs/Dick relationship subplot first came up on the radar. It was a totally new idea to Magnus! This week the curtain rises on Nightwing #101-#106. A little storyline called Nightwing- Year One, written by Chuck Dixon & Scott Beatty and pencilled by the mighty Scott McDaniel. This storyline sees Dick Grayson say goodbye to his life as Robin and begin crafting a new identity for himself. How did Bruce and Dick ever have their falling out? Why did Dick choose "Nightwing" as his new alias? Will Jason Todd do as well running the Gauntlet as Dick did? One thing that unfortunately isn't explained is just what the h

As a kinda sorta not really sequel to episode #141, a very sick Magnus deleriously updates you loyal subjects concerning his second impressions of Batman v Superman. And this goes on great, NyQuil-induced length as Magnus speaks a few somewhat unpleasant truths. Throughout, His Excellency frequently veers back to Batfleck. One might be tempted to credit the prescription-induced fog for this lack of focus. But in fact the answer is rather simple: Magnus has ADD. Enjoy this very brief helping of Trentus Magnus Jabs Reality to finish off your week in fine (though scrapy and nasaly) style! If you're determined to contribute to the ruination of the Internet through idiotic click-bait, "You won't believe how infrequently Magnus coughs in this show! Even stricken, His Excellency is a rugged, hairy-chested man amongst men!" If that's not good enough for you, tough luck. Magnus is off to lie down for a while now.

In this week's ball-crashing episode, Magnus continues the Batgirl and Robin megaseries all about the relationship between Babs and Dick. It's sometimes romantic. Other times it's more like a sibling rivalry. The entire concept for this thing came from a Batman comic book binge your wise leader fell into not long before recording this episode, which is just about when the Babs/Dick ship subplot first fell under the microscope. Yes, Magnus never even knew this subplot existed until then. This week His Excellency takes a long look at The Batman Adventures #18, #26, #12 and #14 (in that order). This selection of comics requires a bit of a squint test as The Batman Adventures exists outside the standard DC continuity. But head canon being what it is, there was no way these issues would escape a thorough investigation in light of Babs and Dick's past and, God knows, their future. If that seems odd, bear in mind that the writer of these issues, Kelley Puckett, has written other comics discussed in this megaseries s

In this week's ball-stomping episode, Magnus continues the Batgirl and Robin megaseries, which is a megaseries all about the occasionally romantic relationship between Batgirl and Robin. Or, more accurately, Babs and Dick. The entire concept for this thing came from a Batman comic book reading project upon which your wise emperor embarked not long before recording this episode, whereupon he fell unwittingly into the Babs/Dick ship subplot. This week, the spotlight falls on the Batgirl one-shot from 1997, which was a tie-in to Batman & Robin, as well as the Batgirl- Girlfrenzy one-shot from 1998. These two issues relate to Babs and her determination to overcome, even when faced with psychotic serial killers such as the Joker and Mr. Zsasz. Unlike other books from this megaseries, the comics discussed in this episode were both written by the same writer (eg, Kelley Puckett) and explore somewhat similar ideas in very different ways. These are worthy follow-ups to Batgirl- Year One... even though that was pub

This week is a ball-kicking episode! Look at the artwork! Batgirl is kicking a bad guy in the balls! The BALLS! How was I *EVER* not using this for the art this week! So here we go! In this week's ball-kicking episode, Magnus continues the Batgirl and Robin epic megaseries! This one's all about Barbara Gordon, Dick Grayson and their rather bizarre relationship! You see, boys and girls, this all spun out of a Batman comic book reading project your wise emperor undertook a week or three before recording these episodes, whereupon he discovered the Babs/Dick ship subplot. Yes, this subplot was completely invisible to Magnus prior to just a few months ago. Really! This week, the spotlight falls on the Batgirl- Year One miniseries, which modernizes and updates Babs' entry point into the DCU. Or DCM. Or whatever the hell they call it this week. Even though this is certainly an update, it is striking (no, really, *YOU WILL BE STRUCK*) how faithful this enterprise is overall to Barbara's original introduction. Much fu

In this week's ball-training episode, Magnus kicks off a new epic megaseries! Yes indeedy, this one's dedicated to Batgirl and Robin. Or, more accurately, Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson. This all spun out of a Batman comic book reading project your brave leader undertook a week or three before recording this episode, whereupon he fell ass-backwards into the Babs/Dick ship subplot. This week, the spotlight falls on Robin Annual #04, Robin- The Gauntlet and the Robin- Year One miniseries. These form the basic seeds of where Dick Grayson started in the post-Zero Hour DCU. In spite of the fact that different creative teams handled different books that will be discussed through this megaseries, it's truly astounding how well these books all fit together in a weird type of head canon... for those of you who go in for such things. Due to the avalanche of ass-kickery, unfortunately there was just no time for listener feedback this week. However, there has been a fair amount of feedback (and feed-forward!) in recent