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Episode 5 of FIRESTORM FAN and AQUAMAN SHRINE Podcast!

The Fire and Water Podcast - The Official Podcast of FIRESTORM FAN and THE AQUAMAN SHRINEThe fifth episode of THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is now available for your listening pleasure! THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST is the official podcast of FIRESTORM FAN and THE AQUAMAN SHRINE. This time around we cover: the New York Comic Con, a Fury of Firestorm rumor, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and more Listener Feedback!

You can find the fifth episode of THE FIRE AND WATER PODCAST on iTunes. While you’re there, please drop us a review on the iTunes page. Every comment helps! Alternatively, you may download the podcast by right-clicking here, choosing “Save Target/Link As”, and selecting a location on your computer to save the file (50 MB).

Thanks again to my co-host Rob Kelly, Sea King of THE AQUAMAN SHRINE, for doing all the post-production on these episodes! Additionally, special thanks to Daniel Adams and his band The Bad Mamma Jammas for our super-cool outro theme!

Thanks for listening! Send your feedback to: firewaterpodcast@comcast.net

Support Firestorm and Aquaman! Fan the Flame and Ride the Wave!

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8 Comments

  1. Ryan says:

    Great podcast, Fellas!

    Shag, when are we going to see the Cinar sketch he made just for you?

  2. Ryan says:

    Seriously, it’s really incredible that the creators of AQUAMAN and FURY OF FIRESTORM are so respectful of the AquamanShrine and FirestormFan.

    I know you’ve interviewed Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver, Shag, so they’re clearly aware of the site. But you can (somewhat cynically, I’ll admit) argue that their generous contributions is press for them to generate buzz and marketing. On the other hand, there is nothing for the artists to gain necessarily by admitting they listen to the podcast other than showing their level of respect for your mutual fandoms. The reciprocal love for these characters and their histories is a great tribute to the creator-fan relationship. And it’s also a stunning coup for both of your websites. Well played all around, guys.

  3. Frank says:

    1) This was definitely the most lopsided show to date. It felt very much like The Aquaman Podcast w/friend. Clearly, Rob’s master plan is progressing, so I hope Shag put away some savings and has his resume in order. I also found this episode the least objectionable so far, and therefore haven’t much to comment about, so clearly what hasn’t been working is all that Firestorm crap. But seriously, I don’t have much to say because this is the first episode to only touch on comics tangentially. The printed page is where my heart is, so I can’t add much to convention experiences and cartoons. That isn’t a bad thing, although it reminds me about my fears regarding outside media appropriating comic books so thoroughly in the public consciousness that the source material is increasingly irrelevant.

    2) I haven’t actually seen an entire episode of Batman: The Brave and the Bold, but what I have seen indicates that it would probably be my favorite of all the DC cartoons. While Justice League Unlimited had some great episodes, I didn’t care for the first season or two, and it often took itself so seriously that it killed my enjoyment from all the posturing. I’ve read Bruce Timm speak dismissively of Super Friends, but I have found myself more involved in the groovy ‘70s schlock than a lot of his “precious” work.

    3) The one thing I really appreciate about B:TB&TB was that for the first time since the ‘60s, Aquaman was allowed to be fun again. While the Sea King is one of my favorite super-heroes, part of his decades old inferiority complex comes from being a clear cut rip-off of the Sub-Mariner. From Steve Skeates to Peter David, whenever I read a comic where Aquaman was pompous or a rageaholic, I just dismissed it as writing Prince Namor with a dye job. What differentiates the two characters is that Aquaman is a nice guy who likes people and smiles a lot. He’s the Lone Ranger on a seahorse, and while B:TB&TB went a little far out in the opposite direction from brooding jerk, it makes a lot more sense for a guy dressed like a pumpkin to be that enthusiastic about his heroing.

    4) 3) Tough break on Gail Simone. She’s in the new solicits for #5, but those are DC solicits. For all we know, Firestorm won’t even be in Firestorm #5.

    5) Am I the only one who heard Shag say “Nuclear Frost?” At this point, I’m not even sure how to say “nuclear” anymore myself. I’m a Texan, you know. I hope a new Killer Frost is as cool as the old, since she was one of the only Firestorm villains I liked/don’t sneer at derisively. Say, did you read her appearances in Giffen’s overhated Suicide Squad? Good stuff.

    6) For the record, the Wonder Woman DTV movie did not sell badly at all. What happened was that it sold slowly. Warner Brothers was used to a certain threshold for DVD sales within the first few weeks the movie was on the market, which earned it a black mark. However, the sales came steadily over time, indicating to me at least that they came from outside the usual fan circles (for instance, from followers of the TV show.) Warners declared that they would not make any more female starring DTVs, which is stupid, because Wonder Woman sold better than many of them. Of the twelve released to date, it ranks fourth in unit sales/dollar gross, behind Superman: Doomsday, Superman/Batman: Public Enemies and Batman: Under the Red Hood. In other words, better than any one of those damned Green Lantern projects, the sexist *][#$!

    7) I think it was Shag who said that of the Magnificent Seven JLA, only Aquaman and Martian Manhunter are still waiting for their turn. I’m not sure I’m looking forward or can reasonably expect to see J’Onn J’Onzz ever take that turn. Part of the appeal of the character to the people who like him is that he’s the most obscure and versatile of the supposed “Big Guns.” He’s the only one you can really go mature readers with, or do straight comedy with, and still have it feel right for the character. I think if J’Onn had been more successful on Justice League Unlimited or Smallville, it would just set him on the road to being pigeonholed or licensed out to the point where you couldn’t go wherever you wanted to with him anymore. With Aquaman, you have a character that already belongs to the world as a classic hero, and DC is finally treating him as such in the comics. Green Lantern and Flash are starting to come into their own, and they deserve the attention. Martian Manhunter, I feel, does not belong to the masses, and I want to see him handled well and pushing boundaries from the fringes. That’s why I remain hopeful that he will be more to Stormwatch than a ringer to let everyone know the team is now part of the DCU. The Authority were a transgressive bunch that changed how comics were written, and that’s the kind of environment I prefer J’Onn J’Onzz in.

    8) How could it be the Aquaman/Firestorm Power Hour when you guys keep breathing on the glass of two? I guess you could call it a bi-hour, but expect a lot of very annoyed and confused iTunes comments.

    9) Captain Marvel and Plastic Man don’t belong in the Justice League. They suck as characters whenever they’re members. I wish Alex Ross would stop that. I’m actually pretty sick of Ross’ style, with the exception of Martian Manhunter. He does J’Onn really well.

    10) Ride the Wave is too generic. It sounds like a surfer signature. Ride the Seahorse is very specific. Just saying. How about “Topo the Morning?” Or strychnine?

    11) Say Shag, whether through the podcast or a crossover, how about some love for Rafa Ricas’ Elongated Man blog? Satellite Era hangers-on have got to stick together.

    12) Where’s that requiem for Martin Stein?

    13) Remember that part about my not having much to say on this post? Probably not. It was a long while back.

  4. Shag says:

    @Ryan – Thanks! Also, you didn’t have to wait long. Here is that sketch by Yildiray!
    http://firestormfan.com/2011/10/20/yildiray-cinar-nycc/

    @Frank – As always, thanks for all the comments, your support, and tolerating my butchering of your blog’s name.

    1) Sorry this episode wasn’t exactly to your liking. In regard to the Aquaman content in the show, some of that was my fault. I’m the one who recommended we focus our BATMAN: BRAVE & THE BOLD conversation primarily around the Aquaman episode, rather than a Firestorm episode. During the advance planning (prior to the NYCC), we didn’t realize just how much Aquaman stuff there would be to talk about. Regardless, I’m okay with the imbalance in this episode. I love me some Aquaman, and I know we’ll have some Firestorm-centric episodes down the line. Also, there will be times when we don’t talk much about the actual printed comics. With these two characters moving into other pop culture arenas, it’s going to happen. Just like the blogs sometimes focus on things outside of the comics.

    5) Yeah, you haven’t heard of “Nuclear Frost”? Get with the times, man! 😉 Based upon the solicit for FURY OF FIRESTORM #5, she may not be the new Killer Frost. She may be this new character named Zither. Not sure yet. And I LOVED the Giffen SUICIDE SQUAD book. I’ve been beating that drum for years, but not many people are listening.

    10) “Topo the Morning” is brilliant! I’m not sure if your “Topo” reference was on purpose, or you were just spelling as it sounds. Aquaman had an octopus friend named “Topo” in the 60s!

    11) We’re working on something to acknowledge our fellow JLA bloggers soon! Also, how about you and Rafa team-up for your own Martian Manhunter/Elongated Man podcast – THE STRETCHY SLEUTHS PODCAST or THE PLIABLE PODCAST! Both names totally work. You know they do.

    12) I still need to gather my thoughts on Martin. Also, based upon the tease in BATGIRL #2, it’s possible Martin is still alive. Fingers crossed!

    13) I remembered. Blabber-mouth. =P

    Shag

  5. Frank says:

    Shag, you misunderstand me. The episode was certainly to my liking, including the animated material and convention details. I thought you guys had a good rhythm. I just meant that the further you get from comics, the less unsolicited opining you’ll get from me based on a lack of personal knowledge. I’m not tuning out, just nodding my head as I listen to dialogue I’m less able or inclined to nitpick.

    I’m just letting the pronunciation thing go at this point. Hell, I only learned how to properly say the Latin-derivative name of my own blog because you asked about it in that first podcast. I was mispronouncing it for the past four years, so why sweat you? Besides, better that than become the new Slipknot gag. You guys choked all the life out of that on the first run, and drag its moldering carcass along week after week. The one arm was already missing, and the other looks set to drop off any minute now.

    I was a big fan of Ostrander on Grimjack and other titles, so I understand Suicide Squad fans’ devotion to his take on the premise. However, those guys had it out for the Giffen book upon announcement, and never gave it a chance. I have a rocky relation with Giff, especially when he writes his own dialogue, but I thought his sensibilities were perfect for that book. I even loved Paco Medina’s art, which was so cute and cuddly that it made the horrific demises of the characters that much more disturbing. I stand with you on this Shag, just as I stand with Luke in defending the first Jared Stevens Fate series, but I’m pretty sure that still makes just two of us in either camp.

    The Killer Frost thing is funny, because this is the second time a Firestorm series has pulled that bait and switch. I thought that chick from the early issues of the Jason Rusch series was going to be a new Frost, too.

    Shag, friend, why would I suggest “Topo the Morning” if I didn’t know who Topo was? It’s like “Seize the Day,” but with squid. Right up there with “Live Life With Porpoise!” I know they’re fishy, but I decided to make these suggestions for the halibut.

    I was thinking about teaming up with Luke’s Carter Hall blog for “The Strapping Man Podcast.” Or maybe “HawkManhunters?” Again, my suggestions are bound to frustrate the misdirected LGBT listening audience. There’s always Anj for “Red Sun/Red Planet,” the Supergirl/Martian Manhunter podcast that still manages to make about as much sense (outside a cheeky title) as “Fire & Water…”

  6. Shag says:

    @Frank – Thanks for the additional feedback! Not much else for me to comment back with, other than you make me laugh, old buddy. Your comments are always a joy. Seriously!

  7. Keith G. Baker says:

    Best podcast yet! (And I’m not just saying that because I got a mention…..well, maybe a little).
    You guys are play off of each other quite naturally.

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