King of the Hill Is Back, EA Cancels Black Panther, Switch 2 Prep, and Comic Teacher Mark Daumier Joins Us

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In this episode of Geek Freaks, Frank and Squeaks sit down with middle school teacher Mark Daumier, who’s using comic books to revolutionize how kids engage with reading. Mark shares how he turned his love of comics into a classroom staple, building a library of over 14,000 comics and using them to teach visual literacy, historical events, and critical thinking. Plus, the Geek Freaks crew breaks down everything from the new King of the Hill revival and Vision series casting to the cancellation of EA’s Black Panther game and the Switch 2 release. If you’re a fan of comics, games, or how pop culture shapes education, this one’s for you.

Timestamps and Topics:

00:00 – Introduction and Patreon shoutouts 
00:45 – Guest Preview: Mark Daumier's comic-based classroom
02:09 – Comfort Games: Mass Effect, Space Marine, and Animal Crossing
04:01 – King of the Hill revival and modern updates to the cast
08:24 – Marvel Vision Series: Jocasta’s debut and Ultron’s return
12:12 – EA cancels Black Panther game, industry layoffs discussed
20:34 – Pokémon Legends Z-A and Switch 2 impressions
26:35 – Full breakdown of the Switch 2’s hardware, internet issues, and accessory talk
31:09 – Upcoming Switch 2 games and gimmicky features
33:00 – Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Cyberpunk on Switch
33:16 – Interview: Mark Daumier on comic books in the classroom
35:50 – Comic book reading comprehension and visual learning
38:01 – Mark’s early comic fandom and Spider-Man subscription
43:44 – Teaching narrative structures and novel writing with comics
47:12 – Star Wars and pop culture in student assignments
50:03 – Comic fandoms, MCU popularity, and Thunderbolts in class
59:19 – Advice for teachers: meeting students where they are
01:01:10 – Watchlist: Ironheart, The Bear, Squid Game Season 3
01:02:33 – Movie Talk: Ballerina, How to Train Your Dragon, 28 Years Later
01:04:22 – Pixar's Leo and the debate around Disney originals
01:06:13 – F1 with Brad Pitt and Megan 2.0 reactions
01:07:42 – Recommendations of the Week: Warhammer Darktide and Marvel’s Darth Vader (2020)

Key Takeaways:

Comics help bridge the gap for students who struggle with traditional reading.

Mark Daumier uses over 14,000 comics in his curriculum, including creative assignments like comic-style reports.

Comics like Watchmen and Dark Knight Returns are powerful but carefully used depending on student maturity.

Star Wars, Captain America, and Spider-Man continue to resonate with students.

The Vision series and Jocasta casting hint at deeper Marvel storytelling on the horizon.

EA’s canceled Black Panther game reflects broader industry issues.

The Switch 2 launches with improvements but raises concerns about internet requirements.

Original stories from Disney and Pixar are in demand more than retellings.

Memorable Quotes:

“If you read 20–25 comic books, that's the same as reading a novel.” — Mark Daumier

“Comics help kids visualize what they're reading. That unlocks everything else.” — Mark Daumier

“I was like, can I teach in your class now?” — Frank Lourence

“Nintendo throws stuff at the wall to see what sticks. Sometimes they reinvent the industry.” — Squeaks

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Listener Questions:
Got a favorite comic you think would be perfect for a classroom? Want to share what game helps you unwind after a long day? Send us your thoughts on social or through our website, and we might feature them in a future episode.

Apple Podcast Tags:
comics in education, comic book teaching, King of the Hill revival, MCU Vision series, Jocasta, Marvel casting news, Nintendo Switch 2, Pokémon Legends Z-A, EA game cancellations, Star Wars comics, Darth Vader, Warhammer 40K, geek culture podcast, classroom learning, pop culture in schools