The Nerd Byword

Nerd Byword

Kris, a teacher and Marvel fanboy, and Dave, a freelance writer and DC fanatic, love to talk about their nerdy passions: comic books, movies and television, and video games. Each week, they discuss nerdy news, recommend new media, and take a deep dive into one niche in nerd culture. “The Nerd Byword” also features interviews with industry greats and up and coming talent. New episodes release every Monday.

  1. 10/29/2024

    Episode 199 - Nerd Commendation Fest: What We're Enjoying!

    Episode 199 of the Nerd Byword is finally here, and it's packed with engaging discussions and nerdy delights. In this episode, hosts Dave and Kris dive into the world of emulation and the ongoing legal battles between Nintendo and emulator developers. The episode also delves into the troubling trend of toxic fandoms influencing storytelling in movies and television and how some studios are forming "superfan focus groups" to guide production decisions. The hosts also share their favorite nerdy finds during their break. Dave gushes over the remastered versions of the classic Tomb Raider games, while Kris revels in the revamped Age of Mythology, a game that combines strategy with mythological elements for a truly immersive experience. The episode wraps up with the belated return of "Nerd Nightmare" with Kris' first exposure to the 2013 horror movie "You're Next." With engaging banter and insightful commentary, Episode 199 is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of pop culture, gaming, and storytelling. Nerd News Nintendo has stepped up its enforcement of its copyrights and trademarks Variety article says movie studios are forming focus groups on fandom Byword Big Talk Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered Age of Mythology Remastered Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon Rings of Power Season Two Life is Strange: True Colors Marvel's Ultimate Line Nerd Nightmare You're Next (2013) Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:13 - Nintendo has stepped up its enforcement of its copyrights and trademarks 00:14:43 - Variety article says movie studios are forming focus groups on fandom 00:17:02 - Big Talk: Tomb Raider 1-3 Remastered 00:32:11 - Big Talk: Age of Mythology Remastered 00:37:03 - Big Talk: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon 00:46:30 - Big Talk: Rings of Power Season Two 00:54:45 - Big Talk: Life is Strange: True Colors 01:01:18 - Big Talk: Marvel's Ultimate Line 01:09:06 - Nerd Nightmare: You're Next 01:18:28 - Call to Action

    1h 20m
  2. 10/22/2024

    Episode 198 - Tangent Universe Unleashed: DC's Bold 90s Experiment

    We're back with a deep dive into the unique and experimental world of DC's Tangent Comics from the late '90s. Imagine a universe where familiar names take on entirely new identities, offering a fresh and innovative take on beloved characters. From the Superman-like Atom to the hauntingly intriguing Green Lantern, these stories challenge the norms of traditional comic book storytelling. But that's not all! We're also diving into the latest happenings in the comic and gaming industries. We're exploring the exciting new announcements in the Star Wars universe and the significant impact of the ongoing strike by video game actors. These performers, who bring life to our favorite games through voice and motion capture, are taking a stand for better pay and protection against generative AI technologies. Whether you're a comic book aficionado, a Star Wars enthusiast, or a gaming guru, this episode has something for everyone. Join us as we explore these fascinating topics and share our nerd commendations, including a revisit to the beloved Percy Jackson book series and the emotionally engaging Life is Strange: True Colors game. Nerd News New Star Wars announcements Video game actors are going on strike over AI concerns Byword Big Talk Tangent Comics Nerd Commendations Percy Jackson Life is Strange: True Colors Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:56 - New Star Wars announcements 00:09:04 - Video game actors are going on strike over AI concerns 00:17:02 - Tangent Comics! 00:57:51 - Nerd Commendation: Percy Jackson 00:45:40 - Nerd Commendation: Life is Strange - True Colors 01:07:13 - Call to Action

    53 min
  3. 10/15/2024

    Episode 197 - Emergency Character Development: Comic Book Overhaul

    After a brief hiatus, the Nerd Byword podcast is back with a bang, diving deep into the world of comics and the changes that are desperately needed within its canon. As we approach our milestone 200th episode, we've taken a moment to reflect on what aspects of our favorite comic book characters are driving us insane and what needs to be done to evolve these stories for the better. In this latest episode, we explore the concept of "emergency character development," focusing on the changes we'd like to see in iconic characters like Batman and Spider-Man.  Dave and Kris share their thoughts on why Bruce Wayne's character might need a break, delve into Peter Parker's perpetual employment issues, and discuss the potential for Martian Manhunter to gain more popularity by exploring his long-lived history on Earth and his shape-shifting abilities. Join us as we dissect these ideas and more, offering our take on what needs to change to keep comics fresh and engaging. Listen to the full episode now and share your thoughts on what changes you'd like to see in your favorite comic book characters. Nerd News New Life is Strange game about to drop TMNT: Mutants Unleashed announced Byword Big Talk Emergency Character Development Nerd Commendations Beverly Hills Cop 4 Diabolo 4 Chapters 00:00:00 - This week's episode was recorded a couple of months back 00:02:50 - New Life is Strange game about to drop 00:13:16 - TMNT: Mutants Unleashed announced 00:15:43 - Byword Big Talk - Emergency Character Development 00:57:51 - Nerd Commendation: Beverly Hills Cop - Axl F 01:04:29 - Nerd Commendation: Diabolo 4 01:07:13 - Call to Action

    1h 9m
  4. 07/30/2024

    Episode 196 - Spider-Man's Genesis: A Tale of Three Origins

    Spider-Man, one of the most beloved superheroes of all time, has a rich history filled with various origin stories. In our latest podcast episode, we dive into three iconic versions of Spider-Man's origins to see which one stands out the most. Join us as we explore the classic tale by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko, John Byrne's Chapter One, and the modern retelling by Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley in Ultimate Spider-Man. In addition to our Spider-Man discussion, we also cover the latest nerd news. We talk about the new trailer for Batman Caped Crusader, a spiritual successor to the beloved animated series, set to debut on Amazon Prime. We also discuss Nintendo's plans for the Switch 2, expected to launch next year. All this, plus brand-new nerd commendations. So what are you waiting for? Listen now! Nerd News Trailer for Batman: Caped Crusader released Switch 2 aims to avoid supply issues, scalpers may face legal action Byword Big Talk Spider-Man origin stories showdown Nerd Commendations Doom #1 by Sanford Greene & Jonathan Hickman 2Ship2Harkinian Chapters 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:04 - First trailer for Batman Caped Crusader has released 00:06:38 - Nintendo prepares for Switch 2 release with some new strategies 00:13:16 - Spider-Man origin stories deep dive 00:53:40 - Nerd Commendation: Doom #1 by Sanford Greene & Jonathan Hickman 00:56:04 - Nerd Commendation: 2Ship2Harkinian 01:00:42 - Call to Action

    1h 2m
  5. 07/23/2024

    Episode 195 - Villain Swap: DC vs. Marvel Showdown

    Ever wondered what would happen if DC villains faced off against Marvel heroes? In this week's episode of the Nerd Byword podcast, we dive into the ultimate crossover, exploring the possibilities of swapping villains between the big two comic book giants. The episode kicks off with an exciting discussion about the latest set photos from James Gunn's upcoming Superman movie. The episode also touches on the darker side of fandom, discussing the recent controversies surrounding the Star Wars series The Acolyte.  But the real fun begins when Kris and Dave delve into their main segment: swapping villains between DC and Marvel. Dave, a DC aficionado, pairs up three DC villains with Marvel heroes, while Kris, a mighty Marvelite, does the opposite. The matchups are both surprising and intriguing, offering a fresh perspective on these iconic characters. All this, plus brand-new nerd commendations. Joins us for another fun dive into the world of nerds! Nerd News Set photos reveal Superman, Lois Lane Star Wars fans continue to be the absolute worst Byword Big Talk Dc vs. Marvel villain swap Nerd Commendations Super Mario 64 Render96 Spider-Man Remastered Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:37 - Superman set photos have leaked, revealing Superman and Lois 00:07:48 - Worst segments of Star Wars fandom fuel hate speech online 00:16:21 - Villain swap: DC vs. Marvel 00:40:57 - Nerd Commendation: Super Mario 64 Render96 00:47:26 - Nerd Commendation: Spider-Man Remastered 00:50:21 - Call to Action

    51 min
  6. 07/16/2024

    Episode 194 - Superman's Roots: Analyzing His Greatest Origin Stories

    In the latest episode of the Nerd Byword, we embark on a thrilling journey through the origins of one of the most iconic superheroes of all time: Superman. With the excitement building for James Gunn's upcoming Superman movie, we decided to delve deep into three of the most significant origin stories of the Man of Steel and determine which one stands the test of time. Superman has had numerous origin stories over the years, but we focused on three that have left an indelible mark on the character: Man of Steel by John Byrne and Dick Giordano, Superman Birthright by Mark Waid and Leinil Francis Yu, and Superman Secret Origin by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank. Each of these stories has its unique take on how Clark Kent became Superman, and they reflect the eras in which they were written. Which one reigns supreme? In addition to our Superman deep dive, we also cover the latest news on Marvel's Blade and discuss the recent Xbox Game Showcase. All this, plus brand-new nerd commendations. What are you waiting for? Press "play" now! Nerd News Marvel's Blade movie loses its second director Microsoft's Xbox Games Showcase highlights Byword Big Talk Superman Origin Stories Showdown Nerd Commendations Doctor Strange by Jed McKay Emudeck for emulation enthusiasts Chapters 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:17 - Marvel's Blade has lost its second director, Jan Dimange 00:07:39 - Xbox Showcase dropped some impressive trailers 00:16:51 - Superman origin stories deep dive 01:05:27 - Nerd Commendation: Doctor Strange by Jed McKay 01:09:33 - Nerd Commendation: Emudeck 01:14:27 - Call to Action

    1h 16m
  7. 06/12/2024

    Episode 192 - Watch This! Nerds Swap TV Favorites

    Have you ever been so passionate about a TV show that you just had to make your friend watch it? That’s exactly what happened this week on the Nerd Byword! In episode 192, Dave and Kris dive into each other’s favorite TV shows, and the results are nothing short of entertaining. First up, Dave introduces Kris to the world of Doctor Who, specifically the era of Matt Smith as the Doctor. Dave chose the episode “The Eleventh Hour” as Kris’s introduction to Matt Smith’s Doctor. This episode is significant because it marks the beginning of Smith’s tenure and is often considered a great entry point for newcomers. On the flip side, Kris introduced Dave to the hilariously bizarre world of What We Do in the Shadows. This mockumentary-style show follows a group of vampires living in Staten Island. Kris chose an episode featuring the Baron, a terrifying yet comically awkward vampire overlord. So, if you’re looking for TV show recommendations or just want to hear two friends geek out over their favorite series, this episode of Nerd Byword is a must-listen.! Nerd News Raul Kohli was in the final running to become Reed Richards in the MCU Netflix's The Witcher reveals Liam Hemsworth as the new Geralt Byword Big Talk Doctor Who - The 11th Hour What We Do in the Shadows - The Baron's Night Out Nerd Commendations Doctor Who: Empire of the Wolf by Jody Houser & Roberta Ingranata The Spectacular Spider-Men by Greg Weisman & Humberto Ramos Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:12 - Raul Kohli confirmed he was in final running to play Reed Richards 00:09:13 - Netflix has cast Liam Hemsworth as the Witcher 00:16:26 - Byword Big Talk - TV Show Swap 00:17:34 - Doctor Who - The 11th Hour 00:32:36 - What We Do in the Shadows - The Baron's Night Out 00:45:11 - Nerd Commendation: Doctor Who - Empire of the Wolf 00:49:11 - Nerd Commendation: The Spectacular Spider-Men 00:53:43 - Call to Action

    55 min
5
out of 5
23 Ratings

About

Kris, a teacher and Marvel fanboy, and Dave, a freelance writer and DC fanatic, love to talk about their nerdy passions: comic books, movies and television, and video games. Each week, they discuss nerdy news, recommend new media, and take a deep dive into one niche in nerd culture. “The Nerd Byword” also features interviews with industry greats and up and coming talent. New episodes release every Monday.