Supercontext

A podcast autopsy of media, how we consume it and how it informs our everyday culture. Hosted by @christiansager and @bennettradio.

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Please follow us to our current home page for the podcast. 

Every episode, social media links and additional resources. Thanks! 

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Episode 031 – David Mazzucchelli's Asterios Polyp

Regarded as one of the best graphic novels of our time, David Mazzucchelli's Asterios Polyp is a story we all know in a way we've never seen before. We discuss Mazzucchelli's decision to stop doing "assembly line comics" and take control of his works' symbolism, formalism and experimentation.

iTunes direct link

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Additional Resources:

David Mazzucchelli at MoCCA

Shades of Meaning Book Review | 'Asterios Polyp,' Written and Illustrated by David Mazzucchelli

TCJ 300 Conversations: David Mazzucchelli & Dash Shaw

Some Thoughts on Asterios Polyp

Mazzuchelli’s Asterios Polyp and the Fine Line

Annotations for Asterios Polyp by David Mazzucchelli

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Episode 030 – Stranger Things, Season 1

Why do we miss the "simplicity" of the 1980s? Stranger Things effortlessly weaves our nostalgia into its narrative. But is too much nostalgia a good thing?

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Additional Resources:

Durham’s Duffer Brothers land on Netflix

NETFLIX’S “STRANGER THINGS” IS A FLAWED BUT ENTERTAINING POP CULTURE LOVE LETTER

The 5 Most Feminist Moments in Netflix’s Hit Summer Show Stranger Things

‘Stranger Things’ Ratings: Where Series Ranks Among Netflix’s Most Watched

Netflix’s sci-fi throwback Stranger Things is yesterday’s summer blockbuster today

Review: Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things’ basks in ’80s nostalgia, doesn’t drown in it

‘Stranger Things’: Shawn Levy on Directing Winona Ryder, Netflix’s Viral Model

Nostalgic nightmares: how Netflix made Stranger Things a watercooler smash

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Episode 029 – Laird Barron’s “Swift To Chase”

One of the best horror writers of our time is experimenting with genre and structure in his new "mosaic novel" collection of stories. How does Laird Barron bring together Alaska, dogs, cosmic horror and inevitable death to make a new kind of literature?

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Additional Resources

Laird Barron - Official Author Site

They Who Dwell In The Cracks

There’s Always Something Worse – A Conversation With Laird Barron

Look Out For … Thin Air by Michelle Paver and Swift To Chase by Laird Barron

Book Review: Laird Barron – Swift To Chase (2016)

On H.P Lovecraft's Heritage, the Genesis of Swift to Chase and the Importance of Not Judging your Characters, a Conversation with Laird Barron

Bookshots: “Swift To Chase” by Laird Barron

This Is Horror: Book Review, “Swift To Chase” by Laird Barron

Review: Swift To Chase

A Review of “Swift To Chase” by Laird Barron

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Episode 028 – Mr. Robot, Season One

This episode we try to understand how a television show about anti-capitalism was distributed by a corporate network. Did tapping into the "angry young man" archetype allow Mr. Robot to predict Donald Trump's presidency?

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Additional Resources:

Wealth disparity, hackers and cyber threats in 'Mr. Robot'

‘Mr. Robot’ Creator Also Thinks It’s Weird That Things In The Show Keep Coming True

'Mr. Robot' Creator on the Sony Hack, Antiheroes and the Dangers of Facebook

“MR. ROBOT” AND THE ANGRY YOUNG MAN

Mr. Robot creator explains why you were supposed to guess the big twist

'Mr. Robot': Creator Sam Esmail On Transitioning The Show From Feature Film To Pilot And More

How the Mr. Robot Finale Tumbled Backward into Its Most Piercing Social Message Yet

The Human Drama Of Hacking Fuels TV Thriller 'Mr. Robot'

Mr. Robot Is the Best Hacking Show Yet—But It’s Not Perfect

Mr. Robot: Season One Ratings

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Episode 027 – Uncle Barbecue: Kyle Kinane’s Confessionals

With the release of stand up comedian Kyle Kinane's new album "Loose in Chicago," we try to understand his process of mixing "scumbag stories" with contrarian confessions. And after a recent comedy show gone sour, we wonder what kind of etiquette to expect from live audiences.

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Additional Resources

“Is Kyle Kinane a Prick?”

“Kyle Kinane on Being A Contrarian Asshole.”

“Comedian Kyle Kinane on Tightening Up ‘Loose’ Act On Latest Tour”

Punk News Interviews Kyle Kinane

5 Days On The Road With Comedian Kyle Kinane

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Episode 026 – John Carpenter’s “Apocalypse Trilogy”

Filmmaker John Carpenter describes The Thing, Prince of Darkness and In the Mouth of Madness as his "Apocalypse Trilogy." With the expertise of special guest Jack Bennett, we aim to find out why. It may have something to do with cosmic horror, nihilism, misanthropy and the futility of human existence.

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Additional Resources:

Jack Bennett

“The Classics: John Carpenter’s ‘Apocalypse Trilogy’”

“Cosmic Horror in John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy”

“A Slow Descent Into Madness: Revisiting John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy”

No Sleep October: John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy

John Carpenter’s Apocalypse Trilogy: A Look Back

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You guys gotta do Peter Milligan & Duncan Fegredo's "The Enigma" sometime. Beautiful, weird comic that Grant Morrison called a superior deconstruction of superheroes to Watchmen. One of comic's true hidden gems and a great exploration of identity and the reader's relationship to a text.

Thanks for writing! Funny enough I just got a copy of ENIGMA as I've been going through a Peter Milligan binge lately. I'll add it to our list for upcoming topics. Thanks again and stay well! - CS

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Episode 025 – East of West

While examining Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta's sci-fi/western comic EAST OF WEST, we consider big ideas, character development and representation of diversity in storytelling. Also, with all its violence, sex and philosophy... would this make the perfect HBO series?

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Additional Resources:

The Four Horsemen Ride In Hickman’s “East of West”

Hickman Points “East of West” In The Right Direction

Image Expo 2013: Dragotta Heads “East of West”

A Very American Apocalypse: The Politics of the End Times in “East of West”

Apocalypse Later: Jonathan Hickman’s brilliant ‘East of West’ comic is the end of the world as we know it

Is it Good? “East of West Vol. 1. The Promise” Review

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Episode 024 – PJ Harvey, The Hope Six Demolition Project

PJ Harvey's latest album is her interpretation of the ironies of war. So why are Washington D.C. politicians criticizing it? And how did its production in a public setting contribute to Harvey's overall artistic project?

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Additional Resources:

HOPE VI

“I gave a famous rock star a windshield tour of D.C. — and didn’t know who she was”

PJ Harvey: Recording in Progress

PJ Harvey’s “Recording In Progress”: What To Expect

Ward 7 Council Candidates Respond To PJ Harvey's New Song

Q&A With PJ Harvey

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Episode 023 - Jessica Jones, Season One

Why didn't the dark Marvel superhero Netflix series "Jessica Jones" live up to our expectations? We look at the intersection of corporate entertainment, feminism and creativity to find out. Along the way we uncover the creepy secret of how your binge watching is being tracked by telephone surveillance.

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Episode 022 – Bruce Sterling @ SXSW 2016

Every year science fiction writer and futurist Bruce Sterling gives a "state of the world" presentation at SXSW Interactive. We consider his remarks from this year and what they mean for politics, social media and surveillance. iTunes direct link

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Additional Resources:

WATCH Bruce Sterling’s SXSW 2016 Closing Remarks

LISTEN to Bruce Sterling’s SXSW 2016 Closing Remarks

Master or Slave?: The Fight for the Soul of Our Information Civilization by Shoshanna Zuboff

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Episode 22 – True Detective, Season 2

We go to the vault in this episode, pulling out our take on True Detective's second season. Is "it all" Nic Pizzolatto? And if so, do both the blame and accolades lay at his feet?

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Episode 020 – Locke & Key, Vol. 1

While talking about the dark fantasy comic "Locke and Key," we get drawn into the complicated media world surrounding adaptations and monetization. Are comics the best engine for creative, collaborative storytelling? We look at Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez's partnership to find out.

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Additional Resources

Gabriel Rodriguez reflects on “Locke and Key” 

About IDW Media Holdings

“Locke and Key” Returns With One-Shot “Small World”

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Supercontext hosts Charlie Bennett and Christian Sager (September 8, 2016)

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Supercontext hosts Charlie Bennett and Christian Sager (September 8, 2016)

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Episode 019 – Hannibal

Looking back on the television series HANNIBAL, we're enamored with its attention to detail. But how did this gruesome slash fiction make its way to network television? Charlie thinks it's because this is a "wet" show. Christian thinks it's Bryan Fuller performing a miracle.

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Additional Resources

Gaumont International TV CEO Katie O’Connell Marsh on Fate of ‘Hannibal,’ ‘Cynical’ Content Bubble Hype

Hannibal’s powerful visuals make it one of the best shows of 2013

'Hannibal' cinematographer James Hawkinson on the show's disturbing, dark beauty

Hannibal: The TV Show That Went Too Far

Hannibal showrunner: 'We are not making television. We are making a pretentious art film from the 80s'

'Hannibal': Meet the Chef Who Makes "Cannibal Cuisine" Look So Delicious

Feeding Hannibal – Janice Poon’s Blog

How to Cook a Human with Hannibal's Bryan Fuller and Chef Jose Andres

Killer Food: Dissecting Jose Andres’ Culinary Visions For NC Series “Hannibal”

Hannibal: How TV's most gorgeous, pretentious drama has managed to survive

Did pirates kill ‘Hannibal’?

There Is A Simple Reason No One Is Watching NBC's Excellent 'Hannibal'

Why ‘Hannibal’ Was Shut Out By The Emmys

Acceptable level of TV violence is ever shifting for viewers, execs

STUDY: Violence Increasing in TV Dramas — Especially on NBC