Sidebar Forever

Hosted by Dwight, Swain & Adrian
  • 4.6 (21)
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Podcasting since 2007, the new iteration of the Sidebar podcast features even more entertaining and off-the-wall discussions on comics, art, and other pop culture topics.

  1. FEB 2

    Blue-Collar Creators: The Backbone of Comics | SIDEBAR FOREVER

    Since the 1980s, mainstream comics has had more than its fair share of superstar creators. But for every Chris Claremont and John Byrne, there have been hundreds of writers and artists quietly doing good work month after month. On this episode, we’re celebrating those “blue-collar” creators—the ones who may not have been treated like stars, but wrote and drew good-ass comics. We champion Silver Age talents like Gardner Fox, Curt Swan, and Jim Aparo, whose contributions helped define entire eras, before moving into more modern-day workhorses—Mark Bagley, Norm Breyfogle, Lee Weeks and more—who kept the trains runnin' and the stories comin'. Along the way, we ask: how did the rise of organized fandom affect a creator's overall popularity? What's the difference between a blue-collar creator and a hack? And why are inkers, colorists, and letterers almost always relegated to blue-collar status? The recent passing of Sal Buscema brought this topic into sharp focus for us. Sal spent decades doing essential work for Marvel, often without the same spotlight his brother John received. This episode is, in part, a tribute to him—and to all the creators who showed up, did the work, and helped build the comics industry we love.

    1h 12m

  2. JAN 13

    All-in-One-Day Movies | SIDEBAR FOREVER

    We're starting off the New Year racing against the clock with movies that unfold over the course of a single day—or night. From sunup-to-sundown classics like Dog Day Afternoon, to 24-hour pressure cookers such as Sinners, to noir thrillers that take place fully at night like Panic Room, we break down how filmmakers make limited time feel limitless. We also discuss comedies that utilize this format—Ferris Bueller's Day Off  and The Hangover, as well as action films, including Judgment Night and Collateral. Along the way, we ask why audiences are particularly drawn to stories about "surviving the night," how screenwriters raise the stakes with only hours to work with, and whether some genres pull off the “all in one day or one night” trick better than others.

    1h 7m

  3. 12/22/2025

    The Sidebar Guests That Never Happened | SIDEBAR FOREVER

    The holidays are a time for looking back, so this week we’re doing exactly that. We’re talking about the ones that got away—the Sidebar guest interviews we sought out that never quite happened. We won’t spoil every name here, but let’s just say David Mazzucchelli, Jeffrey Jones, and Bill Sienkiewicz were among the many heartbreakers (kidding… mostly). We close out the conversation with a wish list of guests we never even got the chance to invite on, such as Serpieri, Claire Wendling, and Walt Simonson. Looking back on this era reminded us just how magical that run was—a stretch when incredible creatives were joining us week after week, and we loved every minute of it. So, join us for the final pod of 2025 as we walk down memory lane and share a few behind-the-scenes stories.

    1h 31m

  4. 12/10/2025

    Controversial Moments in Superhero Comics | SIDEBAR FOREVER

    When subjects like rape, domestic violence, and bigotry make their way into the pages of American superhero comics, they don’t just grab readers’ attention—they make headlines. Today, we revisit some of the most controversial moments in superhero comics history. From the sexual assault of Barbara Gordon at the hands of the Joker, to Yellow Jacket physically abusing the Wasp, to the Punisher’s brief and baffling transformation into a Black man, these moments forced fans and publishers alike to confront where the line should be drawn. We also discuss a crisis of consciousness with Captain America putting down his shield and becoming Nomad, only to later be fired by the government and replaced with John Walker  We wrap things up by asking: Were these moments bold statements or just stunts for attention? How has the definition of “controversial” shifted over the years?

    1h 1m

  5. 11/14/2025

    What is a Game Changer? | SIDEBAR FOREVER

    This week, we’re talking about those moments in film, television, and comics when everything shifted. From The Matrix redefining action movies, to Netflix establishing binge culture, to Neal Adams reshaping comic book art—we break down the creative breakthroughs that changed the game forever. We also discuss game changers in modern music and art like rise of music videos in the 80s, the use of sampling and autotune, and the impact of illustrator Frank Frazetta on generations of young painters.  Finally, we look at so-called negative game changers: the Comic Book Speculator Boom, the slow death of physical media, and how streaming reshaped (and maybe even hurt) how we experience TV, film and music.

    1h 55m

  6. 11/04/2025

    Let's Do It Again (for Better or Worse) | SIDEBAR FOREVER

    Everyone longs for the glory days—that moment in life or career when everything clicked and it felt like you couldn’t miss. On this episode, we’re talking about actors and filmmakers who decided, decades later, to try and capture that magic again. From Tom Cruise revving back up as Maverick, to Michael Keaton slipping on the wig and makeup for Beetlejuice once more, to icons like Harrison Ford, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Mark Hamill stepping back into their legendary roles—we’re digging into what it means when stars revisit past hits. We also look at directors like Tim Burton, Ridley Scott, and Roland Emmerich returning to the worlds that made them famous, and comic book legends Frank Miller, Chris Claremont, and Jim Starlin revisiting their signature creations and stories. Oh, and we’ve got a confession about this version of Sidebar that fits right in with this theme. Plus, we ask: – What really drives these creative run-backs—fan service, nostalgia, or the quest for relevance? – Do these returns add to a legacy, or water it down? – And is there any "nostalgia porn" we’d actually welcome?

    1h 20m

  7. 10/31/2025

    Remembering Drew Struzan | SIDEBAR FOREVER

    We’re heartbroken to say goodbye to one of our artistic heroes—and a true friend of the show—Drew Struzan. Known around the world for his unforgettable movie posters, Drew’s brush brought to life the magic of Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Back to the Future, Blade Runner, Harry Potter, and so many more films that shaped generations. A legend in every sense, Drew received countless honors throughout his career, including multiple awards and his induction into the Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame. We were lucky enough to have him as one of Sidebar’s very first big guests, and his kindness and humility stayed with us ever since. He was truly one of the greats, and we’ll miss him dearly. Drew passed away on October 13, 2025. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, Dylan, and to all of his family and friends.

    20 min

  8. 10/22/2025

    A Special Halloween Episode: Black Horror | SIDEBAR FOREVER

    In part two of our Halloween specials, things go bump in the night as we look at what we’re calling the Black Horror Canon—horror films that feature Black heroes and protagonists, majority Black casts, or stories rooted in the Black experience. We resurrect some true classics like Night of the Living Dead, Blacula, and Candyman, then creep our way into more modern examples such as Attack the Block, Get Out, and Nope. We even touch on Black horror comedies like Tales from the Hood and The Blackening. Along the way, we ponder why some Black characters don’t make it past the first act, Black audiences’ long and complicated relationship with horror both on screen and in real life, and what keeps all of us coming back to horror—the genre that just won’t die!

    54 min
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4.6
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About

Podcasting since 2007, the new iteration of the Sidebar podcast features even more entertaining and off-the-wall discussions on comics, art, and other pop culture topics.

Information

  • Creator
    Hosted by Dwight, Swain & Adrian
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    101
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    Copyright ©2024 Dwight Clark, Swain Hunt & Adrian Johnson. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Sidebar Forever