274 episodes

Play Comics is a show that looks at video games based on comic properties and how faithful those games stay to the source material.

Play Comics Chris Osborne

    • Arts
    • 4.8 • 43 Ratings

Play Comics is a show that looks at video games based on comic properties and how faithful those games stay to the source material.

    Popeye 2 with Matt Storm (“Fun” and Games, Screen Snark)

    Popeye 2 with Matt Storm (“Fun” and Games, Screen Snark)

    Ahoy, landlubbers! Prepare to set sail on a high-seas adventure through the annals of gaming history, as we dive into the depths of the 1992 Game Boy classic, Popeye 2. This episode we've got a special guest aboard – Matt Storm from the podcasts "Fun" and Games and Screen Snark. They're a veritable treasure trove of knowledge when it comes to all things retro gaming, so batten down the hatches and get ready for a wild ride!

    In this episode we'll explore the pixelated world of Popeye, the legendary sailor man who's always ready to dish out a can of spinach-fueled justice. From navigating treacherous levels to battling Bluto's dastardly schemes, we'll uncover the secrets behind this beloved game that captured the hearts of gamers and comic book fans alike.

    But that's not all, me hearties! We'll also delve into the rich history of the Popeye comics, tracing their roots back to the early 20th century and exploring how they've influenced pop culture over the decades. Prepare to be regaled with tales of Olive Oyl's escapades, Wimpy's insatiable hunger for hamburgers, and Popeye's iconic catchphrases that have become part of the cultural lexicon.

    So grab your Game Boy, load up on spinach, and get ready to set sail on an adventure that will have you laughing, reminiscing, and maybe even singing a few sea shanties along the way. Anchors aweigh, mateys!

    Support Play Comics by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/playcomics

    Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-89f00a for 40% off for 4 months, and support Play Comics.
    Read transcript

    • 45 min
    Gunpunch with Fernando Pinto

    Gunpunch with Fernando Pinto

    Read transcript
    Strap in, true believers, because we’re about to dive headfirst into the wild world of Kickstarter campaigns and comic book mayhem! This week on Play Comics, we’re taking a look at the Kickstarter for the action-packed graphic novel Gunpunch, and we’ve got the creator himself, Fernando Pinto, here to give us the inside scoop.

    Fernando Pinto, the mastermind behind Gunpunch, is joining us to share the gritty details of bringing this high-octane comic to life. From the explosive action sequences to the sharply-drawn characters, this guy has poured his heart and soul (and probably a few gallons of coffee) into making Gunpunch a must-read for any fan of the medium.

    The Gunpunch Kickstarter campaign is in full swing thanks to Rocketship Entertainment, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride. Backer rewards range from digital copies of the comic to limited-edition prints that will have your fellow comic nerds green with envy. And if you’re feeling particularly generous, there’s even an opportunity to get your face immortalized as a character in the story. Talk about a power move!

    So, what are you waiting for? Hop on board the Gunpunch hype train and get ready for a wild ride! With Fernando Pinto at the helm, you know this comic is going to be a knockout. Strap on your utility belt, grab your favorite snacks, and get ready to dive headfirst into the world of Gunpunch. It’s going to be a punchy good time, true believers!

    Learn such things as:


    How do you go about naming characters anyway?
    Is it OK to punch people with your gun hands if you’re having a bad day?
    Are those aliens really that bad?
    And so much more!

    You can find Fernando on Twitter @NandoPintoArt, on Instagram @minombreesfernandopinto, his LinkTree @FernandoPintoArt and FernandoPintoArt.com.

    If you want to be a guest on the show please check out the Be a A Guest on the Show page and let me know what you’re interested in.

    If you want to help support the show check out the Play Comics Patreon page or head over to the Support page if you want to go another route. You can also check out the Play Comics Merch Store.

    Play Comics is part of the Gonna Geek Network, which is a wonderful collection of geeky podcasts. Be sure to check out the other shows on Gonna Geek if you need more of a nerd fix.

    You can find Play Comics @playcomics.bsky.social on Bluesky, @playcomicscast on Twitter and in the Play Comics Podcast Fan Group on Facebook.

    Intro/Outro Music by Best Day, who dreams of having his hands be machines. But his machines would be of the Rube Goldberg variety.

    Support Play Comics by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/playcomics

    Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-89f00a for 40% off for 4 months, and support Play Comics.

    • 31 min
    Space Ghost with David Pepose

    Space Ghost with David Pepose

    Read transcript
    Welcome, cosmic adventurers and comic aficionados, to another interstellar episode of Play Comics, where the fabric of reality is as bendable as the pages of a comic book, and the heroes are as quirky as our sense of humor. This week, we’re donning our power bands and setting our sights on the vast, uncharted territories of space. Why, you ask? Because we’re diving headfirst into the latest cosmic vigilante saga that’s blasting its way through the comic cosmos – the upcoming Space Ghost comic being published by Dynamite Comics!

    But hold onto your space helmets dear listeners, because this episode isn’t just any ordinary galactic gabfest. Oh no, we’ve managed to snag series writer and return guest, David Pepose, who’s back and more mysterious than Space Ghost’s secret identity (which, by the way, remains one of the universe’s best-kept secrets). David’s here to give us the inside scoop on what it’s like to breathe new life into a character who’s been everything from a champion of justice to a smarmy talk show host.

    Prepare for an episode filled with tales of cosmic vigilantes, nefarious space pirates, and the occasional monkey sidekick. We’ll explore the dark corners of the Galactic Federation, where evil lurks in the shadows, and only one hero can bring justice to the stars. Yes, we’re talking about the man, the myth, the legend – Space Ghost!

    So, whether you’re a long-time fan of the spectral space hero or just curious about what happens when you mix superheroes with the final frontier, this episode is for you. Join us as we chat with David Pepose about the challenges of reviving a classic character, the thrill of exploring uncharted narrative galaxies, and, most importantly, whether Space Ghost prefers his coffee black as the void of space or with a splash of Milky Way.

    Buckle up, listeners, because we’re about to launch into an episode that’s out of this world. And remember, in space, no one can hear you laugh – but here on Play Comics, laughter is just part of the adventure.

    Learn such things as:


    Wait, Space Ghost wasn’t created for that cartoon talk show?
    How do you tie in established lore when you get to basically ignore a bunch of the history?
    What kind of freedom do you have knowing that you’re set to spend a year with these characters?
    And so much more!

    You can find David on Bluesky @peposed.bsky.social, Twitter @Peposed, Instagram @Peposed, on Facebook @ David Pepose Comics, his newsletter Pep Talks, and his website DavidPepose.com.

    If you want to be a guest on the show please check out the Be a A Guest on the Show page and let me know what you’re interested in.

    If you want to help support the show check out the Play Comics Patreon page or head over to the Support page if you want to go another route. You can also check out the Play Comics Merch Store.

    Play Comics is part of the Gonna Geek Network, which is a wonderful collection of geeky podcasts. Be sure to check out the other shows on Gonna Geek if you need more of a nerd fix.

    You can find Play Comics @playcomics.bsky.social on Bluesky, @playcomicscast on Twitter and in the Play Comics Podcast Fan Group on Facebook.

    Intro/Outro Music by Best Day, who just wants to make sure that a Blip centered issue isn’t anything like Appa’s Bad Day.

    Support Play Comics by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/playcomics

    Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-89f00a for 40% off for 4 months, and support Play Comics.

    • 36 min
    The Addams Family with Adam Williamson

    The Addams Family with Adam Williamson

    Welcome to another spine-tingling, joystick-wiggling episode of Play Comics, where the pixels meet the page and the game controllers are always at risk of being thrown in excitement or frustration. This week we’re diving into the dark cobwebbed corners of the gaming world to unearth the 1992 classic The Addams Family, a game that dared to ask “What if we took a beloved, macabre family and turned their life into a platforming adventure?” Based on the 1991 film of the same name, this game sprawled across the NES, SNES, Genesis, Master System, Game Gear, and Game Boy, proving that no console was safe from its kooky, spooky charm.

    In this episode we’re thrilled to welcome back the illustrious Adam Williamson, a man whose knowledge of games is only rivaled by his ability to survive encounters with the supernatural—or at least supernatural-themed video games. Adam, who last graced us with his presence in a bodyslammin’ discussion on WWF No Mercy, returns from the depths of the gaming archives to help us navigate the twisted halls of the Addams’ mansion.

    Prepare for a journey where every jump is a leap of faith (into a pit of who-knows-what), every enemy is as bizarre as an Addams family member, and the only thing scarier than the game’s difficulty is the thought of turning it off before finishing. Will Gomez find his beloved family members, or will he be doomed to wander the pixelated corridors forever? Join us as we explore the mystery, the humor, and the sheer Addams-ness of The Addams Family game.

    So tighten your seatbelts, adjust your monocles, and make sure your hand (Thing, is that you?) is firmly attached to your wrist. It’s going to be a wild ride through the Addams Family estate, where the only guarantee is laughter, nostalgia, and maybe, just maybe, a newfound appreciation for games that make you want to pull your hair out—in the most delightful way possible.

    Learn such things as:


    How can you base a game off of single panel comics?
    How is this macabre family so wholesome?
    What does Jonathan Blow have to do with any of this?
    And so much more!

    You can find Adam absolutely nowhere except for on Play Comics where he writes comic reviews and appears on other episodes. Of particular interest to listeners of this episode are The Gimmick #1 and The Job #1.

    Twitter Thread and Bluesky Thread to enter the giveaway for copies of The Color of Always and Sharp Wit & The Company of Women. Or just comment on the When I Was Young episode post with what stories you’re looking forward to reading.

    If you want to be a guest on the show please check out the Be a A Guest on the Show page and let me know what you’re interested in.

    If you want to help support the show check out the Play Comics Patreon page or head over to the Support page if you want to go another route. You can also check out the Play Comics Merch Store.

    Play Comics is part of the Gonna Geek Network, which is a wonderful collection of geeky podcasts. Be sure to check out the other shows on Gonna Geek if you need more of a nerd fix.

    You can find Play Comics @playcomics.bsky.social on Bluesky, @playcomicscast on Twitter and in the Play Comics Podcast Fan Group on Facebook.

    A big thanks to Crossplay Conversations and Tales from the Backlog for the promos today.

    Intro/Outro Music by Best Day, who still goes Trick-Or-Treating. In fact he’s going next weekend.

    • 34 min
    When I Was Young with Michele Abounader

    When I Was Young with Michele Abounader

    Greetings, time travelers and comic connoisseurs! Buckle up your seatbelts and grab your favorite snacks because you’re in for a treat with this very special bonus episode of Play Comics that’s more colorful than a double rainbow!

    In this heartwarming and possibly tear-jerking installment, we’re diving into the pages of When I Was Young, the BackerKit campaign that’s not just a comic anthology but a time capsule of love, advice, and triumph. It’s an LGBTQIA+ extravaganza where the creative teams pour their hearts out in stories they wish they could whisper to their younger selves. And guess what? All profits are being donated to The Trevor Project, because who doesn’t love comics with a cause?

    But wait, there’s more! We’re not just flipping through the pages alone. Oh no, we’ve managed to snag the anthology’s editor, the one and only Michele Abounader, to join us for this episode. Michele will share the behind-the-scenes magic, the tears, the laughter, and maybe even the secret recipe to creating an anthology that’s as inspiring as it is fabulous.

    So whether you’re a die-hard fan of all things LGBTQIA+, a comic anthology aficionado, or just someone who loves a good story with a dash of nostalgia, this episode is for you. Tune in, get cozy, and let’s send some love letters to our past selves together. It’s going to be a rainbow-riding, comic-reading, feel-good kind of day here at Play Comics!

    Learn such things as:


    How do you get so many great creators to help with this kind of project?
    What can happen when you just shoot your shot and ask someone to be involved?
    Do you make the anthology, or does the anthology make you?
    And so much more!

    You can find Michele on Twitter @cerealpancake, on Bluesky @cerealpancake.bsky.social, on Instagram @ilikepancakes, and her website Cereal Pancake. And of course check out the campaign yourself at wheniwasyoungcomic.com which takes you directly to the BackerKit page to make this a reality.

    Twitter Thread and Bluesky Thread to enter the giveaway for copies of The Color of Always and Sharp Wit & The Company of Women. Or just comment here with what stories you’re looking forward to reading.

    If you want to be a guest on the show please check out the Be a A Guest on the Show page and let me know what you’re interested in.

    If you want to help support the show then just stop and support this campaign instead. Please? I will love you forever for that.

    Play Comics is part of the Gonna Geek Network, which is a wonderful collection of geeky podcasts. Be sure to check out the other shows on Gonna Geek if you need more of a nerd fix.

    You can find Play Comics @playcomics.bsky.social on Bluesky, @playcomicscast on Twitter and in the Play Comics Podcast Fan Group on Facebook.

    Intro/Outro Music by Best Day, who has nothing funny to say here because this is a totally serious matter.
    Read transcript

    • 51 min
    Shadow Man 2econd Coming with Patrick Hickey Jr. (Legacy Comix, Review Fix)

    Shadow Man 2econd Coming with Patrick Hickey Jr. (Legacy Comix, Review Fix)

    Welcome to another thrilling episode of Play Comics, where we dive into the pixelated playgrounds of our favorite comic book characters and the games that bring them to life. Today, we’re dusting off our PS2 controllers and delving into the dark and mysterious world of Shadow Man 2econd Coming. Released in 2002, this game promised a spine-chilling adventure, but did it deliver the voodoo-infused essence of its comic book counterpart?

    Joining us in this shadowy quest is none other than Patrick Hickey Jr., the mastermind behind Legacy Comix and the Editor in Chief of Review Fix. With his encyclopedic knowledge of all things comics and gaming, Patrick is here to help us unravel whether Shadow Man 2econd Coming truly captures the spirit of the Valiant Universe’s enigmatic hero.

    So, grab your Shadow Guns and prepare to walk between worlds as we explore the eerie corridors of Deadside and beyond. Will the game stand as a faithful homage to its source material, or will it be lost in the abyss of forgotten adaptations? Tune in to find out, and remember, in the world of Play Comics, the only thing scarier than the Grigori demons is a missed episode!

    Learn such things as:


    Why would a sequel be on fewer consoles than the original?
    Does it matter if people don’t know about the source material?
    How does the label of a licensed property set expectations?
    And so much more!

    You can find Legacy Comix on Twitter @Legacy_Comix, Instagram @legacy_comix, Facebook @LegacyComix, the Legacy Comix website.

    You can find Patrick on Instagram @patrickhickeyjr, Twitter @reviewfixpat, and of course his personal website and Review Fix.

    If you want to be a guest on the show please check out the Be a A Guest on the Show page and let me know what you’re interested in.

    If you want to help support the show check out the Play Comics Patreon page or head over to the Support page if you want to go another route. You can also check out the Play Comics Merch Store.

    Play Comics is part of the Gonna Geek Network, which is a wonderful collection of geeky podcasts. Be sure to check out the other shows on Gonna Geek if you need more of a nerd fix.

    You can find Play Comics @playcomics.bsky.social on Bluesky, @playcomicscast on Twitter and in the Play Comics Podcast Fan Group on Facebook.

    A big thanks to The Lucky Die and Happy Horror Time for the promos today.

    Intro/Outro Music by Best Day, who still sleeps with a teddy bear.
    Read transcript

    • 1 hr 15 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
43 Ratings

43 Ratings

SteampunkLink ,

A Perfect Pop Culture Intersection

Video game adaptations of comics and manga are an interesting intersection of topics that give host Chris plenty to talk about. He’s got a wealth of knowledge about a wide variety of comics (not just Marvel/DC). Great show for fans of comics and video games alike.

allkindsofnogood ,

Level up your podcast rotation!

Mixing comics & video games together should be a no brainer in terms of an awesome podcast idea, and Play Comics succeeds in making it truly awesome! A great mix of terrific host, topics, & special guests make for a podcast you should definitely have in your rotation!

Poldi Wieland ,

Highly recommend this one!

Great podcast with an awesome host. Cant wait to check out more of the episodes. Keep up the good work!

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