From Batman’s Star to DC’s Deathstroke, Marvel’s Thunderbolts, Live Service Game Collapse, and an Interview with David Howard

In this exciting episode, we explore the controversial decision to give fictional characters like Batman a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We also dive into trailers for The Last of Us Season 2 and Marvel’s Thunderbolts, along with discussions about DC’s upcoming movie featuring Bane and Deathstroke. To wrap things up, we sit down with special guest David Howard, writer of Blood World: Phoenix Throne, to chat about world-building, storytelling, and his creative journey. Whether you're a superhero movie fanatic or a lover of sci-fi/fantasy worlds, this episode has something for everyone!

Timestamps and Topics:
00:00 – Introduction and fictional characters on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
10:00 – The Last of Us Season 2 trailer and House of the Dragon critique
18:17 – Thunderbolts trailer and Marvel’s grounded approach
22:56 – Bane and Deathstroke’s DC movie: What we know so far
28:29 – Casting for Lanterns series and thoughts on Green Lantern in the DCU
34:14 – Live service games and the downfall of Concord
45:02 – Interview with David Howard on his new book Blood World: Phoenix Throne
59:04 – How David Howard blends fantasy, technology, and humanity in his world-building
01:19:00 – Closing remarks and October streaming recommendations

Key Takeaways:

The decision to give fictional characters stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has sparked debate about prestige vs. commercialization. The Last of Us Season 2 trailer teases new characters and challenges, including potential comparisons to The Walking Dead. Marvel's Thunderbolts will showcase a grounded, spy-thriller vibe, expanding its universe with more anti-heroes and complex characters. DC is developing a movie featuring Bane and Deathstroke, which could offer a fresh villain-focused story for fans. Live service games continue to struggle with longevity; Concord is the latest example of a big-budget failure. David Howard’s Blood World explores intricate world-building with elements of fantasy, technology, and deep storytelling.

Quotes:

“Giving Batman a star opens a whole new can of worms. What about Superman or Iron Man?” “Splitting The Last of Us Part 2 into multiple seasons feels like a risk, but it could pay off if done right.” “Marvel’s Thunderbolts feels like the spy thriller we’ve been missing in the MCU. It brings the action but keeps the stakes grounded.” “In Blood World, I wanted to explore how humanity interacts with technology in a way that feels both futuristic and relatable.” – David Howard

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Links and Resources:

Visit GeekFreaksPodcast.com for the latest news, articles, and updates from the world of geek culture! Learn more about David Howard’s Blood World: Phoenix Throne and where you can get your copy: https://dwhoward.com/ Howard on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.howard.1238 

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Listener Questions:
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Apple Podcast Tags:
Movies, TV, Marvel, DC, superheroes, gaming, The Last of Us, Thunderbolts, Green Lantern, Bane, Deathstroke, Blood World, David Howard, live service games, Hollywood Walk of Fame