Since the dawn of the Showcase, we have been hit with requests that Chase and Blake talk about the Japanese-born phenomenon of manga. The only problem? Blake and Chase don’t know squat about manga. So in this special episode, recorded at BSI Comics, the boys invite their resident manga expert Kenny Fanguy to sit in, explain the popularity of the form, talk about some of his favorite manga titles, and reveal the previously unknown legend of Bob Viz. Fans of manga — listen up and tell us how wrong we are. People who don’t read manga — listen up for one of the funniest chats the Showcase boys have ever hosted! In the picks this week, Chase recommends the new Rapunzel’s Revenge, Blake pleads with you to read DC’s The Family Dynamic, and Kenny suggests the newest volume of the manga series Negima and the series Seraphic Feather. E-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

Episode 86: The Manga Episode

With Gustav gone, the Showcase gang is still scattered to the four winds, and it will be a few weeks before Blake and Chase can get together to record again. In the meantime, Blake brings you this hiatus mini-episode to tell you how all of your favorite geeks made out during the storm… and just so there’s some comic book content, Blake talks about the comics he read while he evacuated: Watchmen, Star Wars: Vector, The Alcoholic and The Nearly Complete Essential Hembeck Archives Omnibus. We don’t know when we’ll be back full-time, guys, but we hope it’s soon. In the meantime, e-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

Hiatus Episode One

We’re back with another half-hour of movie chat! This week, Chase and Blake pick into one of their favorite movies of the 80s, the original Ghostbusters. What’d they think? Why do they love it? And will they have anything left for next episode when they discuss Ghostbusters 2? Also this week, the guys debut a new feature: what’s the last movie you watched? Chase enjoyed the new release The Pineapple Express, while Blake bemoans 2004’s Catwoman. E-mail us with your comments on Ghostbusters or Ghostbusters 2, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

(Remember, guys, this is a DIFFERENT FEED than the regular 2 in 1 Showcase podcast! You can subscribe to the new show at http://twoinonemovies.libsyn.com/rss!)

Episode 2: Ghostbusters

James Jean, whose hauntingly beautiful work has graced the cover to every issue thus far of Vertigo’s Fables, has announced on his blog that he is leaving as the role of cover artist for the series to persue personal ventures.

If you don’t evacuate for Gustave, be sure to head down to the Bean Gallery at 637 N. Carrollton Ave on Friday August 29th from 6pm-9pm for an art show for several artists including two of our customers, Robby Musso and Wendy Warrelmann.

Wired has coverage of hard core fans from SDCC that sport comic themed tattoos.

Lastly, while we had hoped for a while to see the much anticipated Preacher HBO series, it looks like it’s a no-go. Straight from Mark Steven Johnson,

“It was a very faithful adaptation of the first few books, nearly word for word,” says Johnson, who directed Daredevil and Ghost Rider. “They offered me the chance to redevelop it but I refused. I’ve learned my lesson on that front and I won’t do it again. So I’m afraid it’s dead at HBO.”

The Showcase boys love to argue with each other, but even they have to admit that the Cosmic Corner of the Marvel Universe is currently the place to be. The guys talk about their all-time favorite cosmic Marvel stories, how Annihilation laid the groundwork for Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy to be two of Marvel’s best comics, and the upcoming War of Kings crossover event! In the picks this week, Blake stays cosmic with the Skrulls Vs. Power Pack mini-series, while Chase cheers for Captain America #40. E-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

Episode 82: Marvel Cosmic

We’ve talked Star Wars here before, way back in Episode 19, but with a new movie coming out, the Showcase boys decide to once again journey to a galaxy far, far away. This week, the guys discuss all six Star Wars movies, why Chase hates the Expanded Universe, how he ruined Vector Prime for Blake, who for some reason became friends with him anyway, the current comics from Dark Horse, the property in video games, and of course, the upcoming Clone Wars movie and TV show! In the picks this week, Chase gives props to Daredevil #109, and Blake chuckles over Ambush Bug: Year None #1! E-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

Episode 81: Star Wars (Our) Episode II

It’s time for a whole new Showcase! Blake and Chase of the 2 in 1 Showcase on Comics podcast are going to turn their attention to the silver screen in the new 2 in 1 Showcase at the Movies! Every few weeks, the guys’ “movie club” will delve in to a film that’s out on DVD, pick it apart, and explain why they like it or why they don’t. For our first episode, we delve into the world of the 1999 Brendan Fraser film The Mummy, talk briefly about its sequels and the other movies in its world, and explain why we still dig it even nine years later. Next up? The 1984 horror/comedy hybrid classic Ghostbusters! E-mail us with your comments on The Mummy or Ghostbusters, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

Subscribers, please note: this new show will be on a separate feed from the regular podcast. Only the first episode will also appear on the usual 2 in 1 Showcase feed. You can subscribe to the NEW show by pasting this RSS link into iTunes, or your favorite podcatcher: http://twoinonemovies.libsyn.com/rss

Episode 1: The Mummy

Once again, the boys come at us with a special Showcase Tangent, in which any and all topics are up for grabs! The guys start by picking apart all of the news that’s come from this year’s San Diego Comicon so far! Mark Waid writing The Incredibles? Disney is making a Tron 2? Johns, Robinson and Gates on Superman: New Krypton? Will Blake ever see sunlight again after DC Universe Online is released? Plus, even more thoughts on The Dark Knight, Chase reviews The X-Files: I Want to Believe, and the guys make a BIG announcement about the next Showcase special project! Then, there’s plenty of time to answer your e-mails! Chase doesn’t have a pick this week, but Blake tells you about the coolness of Archie #587. That’s right. Archie. Want your own comments to be read on a future episode? E-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

Episode 79: Showcase Tangent 4-San Diego So Far

Sorry I’m late with this week’s podcast, guys. With the chaos of my recent trip to Las Vegas, I just plumb forgot to post it here. (Thanks to Veronica for reminding me.) To make it up to you, how about not one, not two, but three Showcase features today? First up, there’s Episode 78: The X-Files-Chase Wants to Believe. This week, Chase and I get into the history of one of his favorite shows, the franchise’s path in the comic book world, and what we’re expecting out of the new movie. We each double-up on our picks, too, with Chase digging the cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe via Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy. Meanwhile, I bid farewell to G.I. Joe: America’s Elite and hello to its spiritual successor, Spooks: Omega Team. Next, how about a pair of reviews of a little flick you may have heard of, The Dark Knight? Episode 77.5 is Chase’s DK Review! Then, there’s Episode 78.5: Blake and Erin’s Dark Knight review! Erin and I get into a spoiler-laden analysis of the movie, but don’t worry, we warn you before the spoilers start if you’re one of the three people on Earth who haven’t seen the movie yet. In addition, we also give our review of the other recent Batman flick, the animated Batman: Gotham Knight. So that’s a whole heapin’ helpin’ of Showcase for you! Don’t forget, there’s still time to e-mail us with comments for our upcoming Ultraverse retrospective at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

One of the most feverishly-anticipated films of the summer hits next week, so this week Blake and Chase give their thoughts on the Batman’s greatest enemy, the Joker! The guys dissect what makes the Clown Prince of Crime such a great character, talk about their favorite Joker stories, and talk about what they’re hoping for out of Heath Ledger and The Dark Knight. Also, Chase puts out a call to action — visit Kungaloosh Forever to help save Disney’s Adventurer’s Club! In the picks, Blake’s girlfriend Erin turns him on to Love and Capes, while Chase is still full of love for Action Comics #867. Join us next week for our look at The X-Files, and send us your e-mail for our upcoming episodes on Manga, our much-requested look at Malibu’s Ultraverse and our Star Wars Special! E-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

Episode 77: The Joker and the Dark Knight