An episode that I had more fun with than I probably should have. Derek from Starkville’s House of El and The Tenth Wonder Podcast AND Skynext joins the show for some talk and laughter about the Muppets. That’s right. An episode promised over seven months ago finally comes to fruition as hilarity and fun like only Kermit and the gang can offer is discussed.

It should be mentioned that immediately after recording the podcast, Derek and I learned of the passing of Kermit Love. Love was a long time friend of Jim Henson. So close were they as kids that Henson named his most famous creation, a felt frog with ping pong ball eyes, after Love. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Love’s family and friends.

For more about the muppets, check out www.muppets.com for some great videos and wacky Muppets fun. Also, check out The Muppet Cast a very well put together podcast by Steve Swanson full of news and classic Muppet moments.

To check out the podcast, head over to www.geekoutpodcast.com and listen, download, or subscribe.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Muppets…WHAT? Or if you want to check out some of the things Derek and I talk about on the show, pick up one or more of the items below at Amazon and help the site out.

The muppets are making a statement online lately. There’s a newly revamped website at www.muppets.com, there’s a movie on the way, and they just happen to be the subject of next week’s Geek Out Loud. Then there’s this:

Two months ago, Jeph Loeb left us all hanging as the big green lug we all know as the ever-lovin’ Hulk showed up to face down his red counterpart.

This issue opens up…right before that? Maybe.

Uatu…the Watcher…shows up to explain how his noble race watches all of the important events in the multiverse. As he’s explaining this, Rock Reddy knocks him on his backside. This is a moment that fans have cheered across the board Me? I don’t know. It didn’t do anything for me.

BUT…what came next did.

Basically, what ensues is exactly what a fan of the Hulk would want to see happen. Red an Green go at it. There are punches, crotch shots, taunts, growls, broken bones, blood, and a clue to the identity of Big Red.

As the two fight, the real Hulk almost gets the upper hand, then the Red Hulk takes over. He breaks the Hulk’s arm and knocks him out. As the Hulk begins slipping into unconsciousness, Red-eye tells him to stay awake because he doesn’t want that “milksop” Banner to show his face…hmmm….milksop…now who uses that term?

We then cut to S.H.I.E.L.D. and the remains of the Helicarrier that Red Hulk attacked in issue #2.   Clay Quartermain is dead.  If you’ve been a reader of Marvel (especially the Hulk title) for a long time, this may make you a bit sad.  I know it made me sad to learn that this interesting peripheral character was gone.  He’s one of those supporting cast guys that you don’t miss until you know you won’t see him again.

Also, among the remains of the Helicarrier, Doc Samson’s jacket is found.  It’s highly irradiated with gamma and ripped to shreds…like he grew out of it…hmmmm.

Green Hulk wakes up in the clutches of Red Hulk on top of the Golden Gate bridge.  Red Hulk actually monologues a bit telling Hulk how the world will finally see him detroyed at his hands.  The Hulk tries to fight back a little but to no avail as he is promptly disposed of by  Red Foxx Hulk who proceeds to make the claim that he cannot be beaten.

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With a flash of lightning and a crash of thunder someone speaks from behind the Red Monster. Looking angry and ready for a fight, Odin’s Son, The God Of Thunder, THE MIGHTY THOR stand ready to do battle.

Story 5 out of 5 – Jeph Loeb has done it again.  He has written a knock down drag out fight that is interesting and surprising.  Not only that, in the midst of all the action, Loeb drops more clues and hints as to the identity of the Red Hulk.  Which leads me to a call….it’s about a 150 pointer due to the obvious nature of the call coupled with a somewhat crazy idea.  I think the Red Hulk is somehow Ross and Samson merged.

My problem with my theory is  that Jeph Loeb is as a sneaky as Mr. Deeds butler.  These clues could be nothing more than red herrings meant to throw us off.  Red Hulk could be Zzzzaaxxxx for all we know.

I like the fact the Red Hulk is obviously not a nice guy.  He has no scruples, no sense of honor and he wants to see Banner and The real Hulk dead.

My only problem was the opening scene with the Watcher, it didn’t seem to fit.  It seemed like something Loeb threw in there because he wanted to see it.  Even with the explanation that this battle is so big it merits the Watcher’s attention, it just seemed a bit of a time waster and stuck in at an awkward moment.  But, it wasn’t awkward enought to dock any points.

Art 5 out of 5 – McGuinness does a great job of resisting the splash page in this issue.  They are there, but they are used very well.  The fight between the Hulk’s plays out well in multiple panels on pages, but when something big or surprising happens in the fight, McGuinness uses bigger images to drive it home.  The final splash of Thor and Red really works to make me hate the two month intervals between issues.

Cover Art 5 out of 5 - I just really like the way these covers interact.  The image above (photoshopped on the fly by my good friend Arkwulf – check the about the Geeks Section to find out more about him) is the two covers put together to form the image you see.  It was a great idea, I would love to see a third alternate of the two fighting, but I like the concept as it is.

So all in all good stuff, I continue to be entertained by Loeb and company and can’t wait for Thor v. Red…and you know Green vs. Red round 2 is coming somewhere down the line.

PART 1 – WHAT IS A GEEK?

The word “geek” actually has quite auspicious origins. The word was one time used interchangeably with “fool,” and even more auspiciously, GEEK is what they used to call performers who did freakish and disgusting acts…like biting the heads off of chickens and that kind of thing.

In recent years though, the word has evolved into a term used by the popular kids to make fun of the not-so-popular kids, and further into a badge of honor worn by computer enthusiasts and techno-nerds. The ultimate evolution has come about in recent years to include enthusiasts of nearly anything.

Personally, I use the term geek to describe anyone who is enthusiastic about one or two particular subjects and possesses extensive knowledge regarding the subjects about which he or she is enthusiastic.

It is for that reason that I proudly wear the badge “Geek.”

I tend to be enthusiastic about the world of superheroes and sci fi. This includes, but isn’t limited to, movies, comic books, television shows, and a certain saga that stands alone in the annals of my geekdom…a saga we call STAR WARS.

I guess the first thing one has to do on the road to becoming a geek is identify what kind of geek one wishes to be. There are sports geeks, TV geeks, comic book geeks, movie geeks, and any other type of geek you can think of.

For the purposes of this series, we will delve into and attempt to assist those who wish to become comic geeks or movie geeks.

So, (Monica) this is your first step into a larger world. Prepare to be quoting movies, rolling your eyes at people who are only familiar with comic book characters because of movies or cartoons, and potentially becoming annoying to all of your non-geek friends.

May I suggest for a little pre-becoming-a-geek preparation, read this article on how to be a geek and still have friends. Also, be ready to decide what you’re gonna geek out about…because that’s coming.