The Oh Gosh, Oh Golly, Oh Wow! Podcast

Excalibur #47: “Come One and All to the Ugly Bug-Eyed Monster Ball”

It’s about time we talked about the guy who introduces every episode: the one and only Merlin, who may not be so one and only. Our journey is guided by Bevan Thomas, a comics creator, teacher, and scholar with a keen interest in British and Welsh folklore. The joy of newborn lizard-dragon hybrids can’t keep us from having a few nuanced gripes about an issue in which too many pages are spent retconning stories we barely remember and not enough time is spent getting to know Cerise, Warrior of the Ghrand Jhar, Genestock of Subruki, Zarstok, and Kuli Ka. But we also explore the folkloric referents of Otherworld and why Brian is Excalibur’s true fairy.

Excalibur #46: “Colin the Barbarian”

Not a spoiler since it’s right there in the title—for the first time since Excalibur #2, Colin McKay is back in the 616 and out for revenge… on Kurt Wagner? In the bathroom?? While Kurt’s armed only with a cane and the world’s smallest towel??? We talk about that but spend the bulk of the episode exploring what’s up with Rachel Summers in general and Rachel and Meggan specifically with educator, PhD candidate, and lifelong Excalibur fan Alexa Lee-Hassan! Our journey includes forays into what makes Rachel an amazing(ly complex) power fantasy and whether Meggan should have a true form—and if so, what that form could (or should) look like.     

Excalibur #45: “Nightcrawler’s Technet”

Is Kurt a good leader or is he just an expert in dressing the part? Anna, Mav, and Andrew debate this and other important questions with comics & pop culture scholar Matt Linton, discussing Excalibur #45, “Nightcrawler’s Technet”—a comic book in which most of the characters are dressed like Nightcrawler, but the story might actually be about Brian? But don't count out Rachel and Meggan, coming in strong with some complex and believable female bonding! We also spend entirely too much time (or just the right amount?) discussing Kurt’s feelings about being the X-Men’s “mascot.”  

 

Excalibur #44: “Witless for the Prosecution”

Kurt’s got a cast but he’s not letting it cramp his style in an issue that compels Anna, Mav, and Andrew to question whether 1991 was a particularly sexy year for velvet (spoiler: it was). But Excalibur #44, “Witless for the Prosecution,” does more than establish the precise texture of Mr. Wagner’s fur. It also compels interesting—and sometimes troubling—questions about racial representation which our guest, Dr. Patrick Hamilton, co-author of All-New, All-Different?: A History of Race and the American Superhero, is ideally equipped to tackle. We talk through Meggan’s complicated quest for identity and the whiteness of the Captain Britain Corps alongside deeper meanings of Kurt’s velvet fur—and whether it’s ever okay to ask if you can stroke it.

Excalibur #43: “Home Comforts”

This week, we're giving Anna's favourite issue of Excalibur the celebration it deserves, chatting with award-winning comics creator and educator Dr. Nick Sousanis about the very skillful, very complex, very sexy, very important visual storytelling of Excalibur #43, “Home Comforts.” We talk picturing dreams, Kurt’s fondest desire(s), and what Kurt and Brian are actually fighting about (is it Meggan, or something else…?). We also talk quite a bit about transformative circus fantasies, spending a good chunk of the pod pouring over a single spectacular page—you can probably guess which one 😉 We all left this convo seeing an old issue in new ways—we hope you will, too!  

Excalibur #42: “A Hatch is Plotted”

New Year, new era of Excalibur, as Alan Davis makes his triumphant return to the title he co-created to write and draw one of our all-time favourite breakfast scenes! But there's more than toast on the menu in Excalibur #42, “A Hatch is Plotted.” There's also explosive eggs and explosive shakeups of the team's status quo—within a much-appreciated return to form. Writer and music critic Quentin Harrison joins Anna, Mav, and Andrew to reminisce and gush about his first-ever issue of one of his most beloved comic book series, talking Davis’ deft rhythm and cadence and why Excalibur’s one of the funniest X-books—and one of the most human.

Holiday Special! (audio version)

The holidays are upon us, but GGW never rests. To celebrate the season and the first year(ish) of the podcast, we did a *special video episode* which you can watch now on YouTube! This is the audio version, unedited, but not too messy (we hope!). We reflect on past issues and convos, including what we've learned and what surprised us. For the first time ever, we also answer listener questions! Plus! Results of the t-shirt drive for Planned Parenthood (thank you so, so much). And! Behind-the-scenes with Kurt Wagner's (unofficial) PR Manager—which words about Mr. Wagner ended up on the cutting room floor? Watch/listen to find out! Thanks for a great first 10 months of convos amid a world not infrequently on fire—here's to the next 85 issues!  

Excalibur #41: “At Last… The Reunion!”

In Excalibur #41, “At Last… The Reunion!” Nightcrawler and not-Wolverine have one on-panel conversation, which is all the excuse Anna, Mav, and Andrew needed to talk about the epic romance—sexual or otherwise—between Logan and his favourite elf with fan, artist, writer, con-organizer, and self-professed Mad Cat Lady Sue Whisterfield! Plus! Tales of the 80s British fandom scene, feat. a certain Mr. Claremont and other familiar faces. We’ve also got words for the issue at hand, bemoaning the hugs, fights, and tears we didn’t get, before looking ahead to Alan Davis’ triumphant return.

Excalibur #40: “The Trial of Lockheed”

It's time for a journey in rhyme/In spirit but static in time/Will Lockheed get back to his body/Before his rhyme schemes get too shoddy? In other words: Anna, Mav, and Andrew are cross-examining the decision to write most of an entire superhero comic in rhyming couplets, discussing Excalibur #40, "The Trial of Lockheed," with animal comics expert Dr. Daniel F. Yezbick! We address a regular zoo of topics, including the history and conventions of funny animal comics, Kitty Pryde's complicated relationship with her favourite pet/friend/confidant/teammate, the power and danger of animal allegory, and Nightcrawler's undeniable animal magnetism. Plus, the panel hotly debates which fictional characters are or aren't dogs.

Excalibur #39: “The Heart of the Matter”

This week, Anna, Mav, and Andrew are positively giddy about closing out “The Promethium Exchange,” chatting Excalibur #39, “The Heart of the Matter,” with editor, critic, and scholar Andrea Ayres, who’s allergic to kelp but addicted to trash. (She may have been sarcastic about the latter.) We talk the role of subjectivity in scholarship, how to deal (or not deal) with problematic people who make stuff, and debate whether Kurt's Bermuda shorts in the Marvel Swimsuit Special were justified or a travesty. We also talk a little “Promethium Exchange” (just a little, we promise!), which is worth it for Andrea perfectly analogizing the experience.