The CCD Podcast: Episode #114 - Why Wolverine Matters

We are currently living in the age of the Comic Book Movie... and we couldn't be HAPPIER! There are all types of comic book adaptions finding their way to the big screen and TVs across the globe. Some are GREAT, some not so much. But all are doing it up in honor of the 50+ years of comic lore that exists in those funny books. While some actors have played the roles of certain heroes in numerous films, no one truly embodies their character more then Hugh Jackman playing Logan. In the 10 "X-Films" that Fox has produced over the last 17 years, Jackman has appeared as Wolverine in NINE of them (Deadpool is an X-Film and Wolverine does not appear in it). 17 years he has been playing James Howlett... or Weapon X... or just Logan. With the release of the newest film in the X-Series Logan on screens now, we take a look into the final performance of Jackman in the role and explain the burning question: Why does Wolverine MATTER in this day and age? Jedi Rob is joined by Mike D and the lovely & talented Mrs Alicia Gomes in the CCD Nerdcave to chop it up about everything Wolvie.... what are you waiting for Bub? Give the ep a listen and RATE OUR podcast on iTUNES!

We are the best at what we do, but what we do best isn't very NICE....

The CCD Podcast: Episode #112 - The Cold War in Pop Culture

Guess whose back??? It's us, your trusty CCD Podcasters with another AWESOME nostalgia filled episode of the CCD Podcast!!! This time we are taking a look at examples of the Cold War in Pop Culture... you would be surprised how many times a 40+ year conflict with ZERO shots fired gets referenced in movies/tv/comics and much more! Joing Jedi Rob in the CCD Nerd Cave is Mike D and the LOVELY & TALENTED Mrs. Alicia Gomes! So throw on your Wolverines shirt, fire up the old WOPR computer to simulate some war games and get back to the surface before Red October because we are breaking this whole COLD WAR down to the ground like the remnants of the Berlin Wall Baby! See you on the other side!!!!

The CCD Podcast: Episode #109 - The BEST Presidents in Pop Culture

Last episode we checked in on all of the WORST Presidents that pop culture had to offer as a way to deal with the election of a certain Reality Star as the leader of the Free World. Needless to say that list was long and plentiful. But once we started that dialog we began to notice that there were plenty of ridiculously GREAT PRESIDENTS sprinkled throughout pop culture history as well. So we felt it was our nerd civic duty to record a second episode and talk about the good guys... you know, the ones who don't run corrupt governments or prove inept when the pressure mounts in our beloved pop culture properties! Join Jedi Rob, the lovely and talented Ms. Alicia Gomes and Mike D as they recall the best of the best Commanders in Chief that pop culture has to offer...

The CCD Podcast: Episode #108 - The WORST Presidents in Pop Culture

Throughout the history of pop culture (movies, TV and comics) somebody has to be running the show... the big boss who has to be in charge... you know, the guy where the buck actually STOPS. Often times that person is a president. In some cases we get re-interpretations of real life presidents like Richard Nixon in Watchmen or Black Dynamite... and in other cases we get completely fictional leaders who fumble through life like Peter Sellers portrayal of Merkin Mufley in Dr. Strangelove. But no matter which kind of  leader we get, why does it often seem as if they are completely incapable of the office that they occupy? Whether they are straight up evil (Lex Luthor anyone?) or a bumbling idiot (Dwayne Elizando Mountain Dew Herbert Camacho comes to mind) we always seem to have the wrong man for the job in charge! So Jedi Rob, Mike D and the lovely and talented Mrs Alicia Gomes are breaking down the history of terrible presidents in Pop Culture. Come on... this is going to be FUN!!!

The CCD Podcast: Episode #105 - Rogue One and The State of Star Wars

2016.... wow, what a year. We have seen monumental accomplishments in pop culture... Marvel movies and TV shows we never could have imagined seeing (Dr. Strange, Power Man), ratings that nerd shows can't believe (Game of Thrones, Westworld and the Walking Dead are some of the highest rated and most popular shows on TV), retro properties are hotter than ever (any thing from the 80s/80s that is re-released is sure to be a hit). Man, 2016 is certainly one of the best years to be alive and basking in the glory of the nerd-iverse! And what better way to wrap it all up in a sweet little bow then the FIRST EVER non saga Star Wars movie? Rogue One is here,... and we are EXCITED to discuss it, as well as what ramifications it's success will have on the whole Star Wars franchise! Join Jedi Rob, Joey Armao and Mike D as we chop it up CCD style in the Nerd Cave... long live 2016!!!!

The CCD Podcast: Episode #102 - Small Screams: Terror From The TV Art Show

Horror on the television screen is nothing new... hell, there have been horror themed TV shows since the 1950s! But with the genre exploding on TV now (The Walking Dead, American Horror Story, The Strain... shall I go on?) we decided this would be a perfect subject for our next CCD art show. So we put together the Small Screams: Terror From The TV art show, which will take place on Saturday October 22nd at the Irish Haven.

Rob welcomed Mike D and Tommy Lombardozzi (both have pieces in the show) down to the CCD Nerd Cave to discuss TV Horror over the years and preview some of the subjects that were adapted into pieces for the show. if you love horror TV give this one a listen!

The CCD Podcast: Episode #101 - Our 3rd Annual Live Podcast From St. Mark's Comics to Kick Off NYCC Superweek!

On Friday 9/30/16 we were back in the house at St. Mark's Comics in NYC to kick off NYCC Superweek!!! It was our 3rd year in a row and we certainly had our biggest show ever! Not only did we sit down with shop owner Mitch Cutler, but we talked with comic legends Jim Salicrup, Fred Van Lente, Jamel Igle and horror film savant Joe Mauceri... it was incredible! Another great live action recording at one of the coolest Mom & Pop shops still in existence. Afterward we bought comics and toys... yup, a perfect night! Check it out....   

The CCD Podcast: Episode #99 - Howard the Duck: The 30th Anniversary Eggstravaganza!!!

Man o man... on paper, the film version of Howard the Duck should have been a home run! A hit comic character that was HAND PICKED by lord commander George Lucas for adaption... effects by Industrial Lights and Magic, the best in the biz... a huge cast, featuring 80s stalwarts like Lea Thompson, Tim Robbins and Jeffrey Jones... I mean, how could this go wrong??? I don't exactly know, but it certainly did go wrong. VERY WRONG. Widely considered one of the worst films ever created and a box office flop, HTD was relegated to the designation of "misstep" by George Lucas and crew. But over time, a cult following around the film began to build. It found new life on cable throughout the 90s and 2000s, and nowadays is considered one of the biggest cult classics of the 80s!

So with the 30th Anniversary rolling around, we felt like we should try to host an event highlighting this fun film. So we teamed up with Den of Geek to do just that... on 8/26/16 we will invade Dromedary Bar in Brooklyn for a crazy event. And because its us, we decided to host a podcast talking about everything Howard: comics, movies and beyond! Join Jedi Rob, Mike D and Joey Armao as they chop it up in the CCD Nerd Cave discussing Mr. H to the D baby...

The CCD Podcast: Episode #95 - Civil War and the Marvel Renaissance

So... Civil War came out. Yup... it was just as epic as we suspected it would be. We here at CCD never really doubted it would come through, but hardly any of us imagined it could be as awesome as it turned out. So we had to let it digest... sink in... fully make it's impression on us before we could sit down and talk about it on the podcast. And we had to make sure we got the right team together to do it. So Jedi Rob welcomes young master James West and Mike D down into the CCD Nerd Cave to chop it up about what some are calling the "greatest Marvel movie yet!". We discuss all the goodness that is packed into this one film as well as speculate on what is to come from Kevin Feige and the gang over at Marvel. Enjoy the ensuing discussion and bask in the amazingness that is Captain America: Civil War....

The CCD Podcast: Episode #93 - B v S v CCD: The Definitive Batman v Superman Review

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice has finally arrived, and as one could imagine it has fueled lots of talk... some good, some bad. Some up, some down. But one thing is certain: A hell of a lot of folks turned out to see it! 470 Million dollars on its worldwide release. Man... that is some windfall! But when a film that was 3 years in the making and is poised to be the foundation of the future DC Comic Movie Universe is finally released... well, you are going to hear some mixed reviews! And that was the case here at CCD as well. For our take (or take down, depending who you ask over here..) Jedi Rob brought in two hardcore DC fans to chime in: Anthony Marino from Brooklyn One Productions and Mike D are on the show chopping it up, talking about what they liked, hated, loved and loathe about BvS...

This may very well be the most divisive and argumentative podcast we have done so far... the lovefest for everything we discuss is OVER!  Enjoy the podcast after the jump....

The CCD Podcast: Episode #90 - Deadpool - 25 Years of The Merc With A Mouth

Some people like to shit on Rob Liefeld... they make fun of his comics, say he can't draw, say he can't write... but he is still in the game, And one of the reasons that is has to be a little character he brought to life 25 years ago by the name of Deadpool. Sure... he is a rip off of Deathstroke from DC Comics. So? Sure.... he has a lot of powers in common with Wolverine. So? Sure he looks like Spider-man with a couple of katanas. So? Deadpool is amazingly the single most popular character in Marvel's current stable, and now he is FINALLY getting brought to life on the big screen by Ryan Reynolds! But in true CCD fashion we have decided not only to chat up the film (it was AWESOME!) but talk about the history of this improbable star from his first appearance in New Mutants #98 to his massive box office success...

The CCD Podcast: Episode #89 - The Best Football Movies Ever

There is something about Football movies that separates them from all sports movies in general. The raw carnage of the games... the depth of the team dynamic... maybe the dichotomy of the warrior on the field vs. the normal human being off it... whatever it is, it makes Football movies unique. With the 2016 Super Bowl past us, we decided this would be a great time to delve deep into the world of the USA's most popular sport and see which films hold up through the years. Join Jedi Rob, filmmaker Leland James and Mike D as they do there best to remember all the great football films in cinema history!    

The CCD Podcast: Episode #88 - The Final Curtain at The Ziegfeld Theater & The Force Awakens With The O.G. Three!

When it comes to Star Wars, great things come in 3s. The original trilogy consists of THREE classic films... The main triumvirate of characters are Luke/Leia/Han... In the prequels there were 3 awesome bad guys (Dooku/Grievous/Darth Sidious) at once... R2, C3-PO and Chewy are the 3 best supporting characters one could ever have... The greatest film in the series (EMPIRE STRIKES BACK) has three words in its title... I could go on and on if need be, but trust me when I say that 3s are significant to the whole Star Wars series. So it is only fitting that the ORIGINAL THREE podcasters who started the CCD Podacst reunited to discuss their takes on The Force Awakens... and we even attended the last EVER screening at the historic Ziegfeld Theater in NYC to make the experience even that more special. So join the OG Three (Jedi Rob, Mike D and Jeff 'JB Smoove' Bond as we break down the dopest movie in the galaxy one last time!  

The CCD Podcast: Episode #81 - The Rocky Retrospective Part 2 or "We Talk About Rocky 4 For 3/4 of This Episode..."

There is only one thing better than a podcast that focuses on Rocky #1-3... and that is a podcast that finished the job and focuses on Rocky #4-6 (plus the upcoming Creed!)!!!!! Jokes aside, while Rocky 5 and 6 are often looked down upon as the low point of the series, Rocky 4 is almost ALWAYS highlighted as the BEST film of the bunch since the original. So we spend most of the episode discussing that one as well as the other two films left in the series. We also talk about Rocky in other mediums and what to expect from the franchise in the future! A great sequel to a retrospective about one of the greatest film franchises of all time. Join Jedi Rob, Alex Berg and Mike D as we make one more trip up the proverbial 'staircase'.... 

The CCD Podcast: Episode #80 - The Rocky Retrospective Part 1 or "It's The Eye of the Tiger, it's The Thrill Of The Fight"

The Rocky franchise is one that is very near and dear to our hearts here at CCD, so with the newest installment of Creed about to hit theaters we thought now would be a great time to break down the series as a whole in our classic "CCD Retrospective" way. In the first half of the massive retrospective we discuss the first three films in the series and what it is about the character of Rocky Balboa that makes EVERYBODY love him so much!  Most might not remember but the first film is set right around Thanksgiving, so it is the perfect time of year to dive head first into what very well may be the greatest sports movie franchise of all time. Join Jedi Rob, Mike D and for the first time Alex Berg as we chat up the Italian Stallion!

The CCD Podcast: Episode #79 - Marvel's Jessica Jones Full Season Review AKA "The Meanest, Toughest Sexiest Show EVER MADE!!!"

When Marvel decided to partner up with Netflix to produce original content I immediately was intrigued by the characters they were choosing to go with. They planned on Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist for individual series... and then culminating in a Defenders movie. This is ambitious. I mean, almost everyone knows who the Hulk or Captain America is. But these guys? After Daredevil the list is relegated to really know obscure comic characters. But the inclusion of Jones was an eye brow raiser for me. I had loved the Brian Michael Bendis run in the early 2000s and the idea of a super powered private eye who doesn't want anyone to know she is "special" appeals to me. So I waited with patience... but all of that patience went out the window when Daredevil came out and I saw just how AMAZING it could be! So we made it our mission to watch ALL 13 EPISODES and have a special podcast reviewing the whole series! Join Jedi Rob, the lovely and talented Mrs. Alicia Gomes, Mike D, and for the first time young master James West (comic aficionado and  former Marvel employee) into The CCD Nerd Cave to talk all thing Jessica Jones!   Please subscribe, download, listen, and SHARE with your friends and fam alike! Make Mine MARVEL!  

If You Like ______, Then You Should Watch _______ - Vol #2: Meet The Parents/The Heartbreak Kid

If You Like _______, Then You Should Watch _____ is a new column that will be appearing here on CCD.NYC weekly. Whenever people try recommending a movie to someone they instantly go with the line: "It's like ____ meets ____". It is the easiest way to convince someone to watch a new film... appeal to their basic sense of past movies they have seen and might have liked. It usually works too, since people like to compare & contrast things they are going to do with things they have already done. So in order to broaden your horizons and open you to some new films, we will use that model to help you discover some celluloid gold.

Today's Pick: If You Like Meet The Parents, Then You Should Watch The Heartbreak Kid!

The CCD Podcast: Episode #74 - CCD vs The Evil Dead: A Retrospective Pt. 2

Continuing the quest to talk all things Evil Dead, the CCD squad heads back down the path toward the Army of the Dead with this second installment of the CCD vs. The Evil Dead Retrospective!!! In this episode Jedi Rob is joined in the Nerd Cave by Mike D & Kristen "KMG" Grillo as they discuss the overwhelming amazingness that is Army of Darkness, the Evil Dead video games, comic adaptions, the remake film (which we love!), and the upcoming Starz! TV show Ash vs. The Evil Dead!!! A perfect end to CCD's 6th Annual All Horror Week!!! 

The CCD Podcast: Episode #73 - CCD vs The Evil Dead: A Retrospective Pt. 1 or "We Will Swallow Your Soul... If You Don't Subscribe & Listen"

Nightmare on Elm Street. Friday the 13th. Halloween. These are the usual suspects that we think of when we discuss "horror franchises". The big guns... the ones even non-horror fans know and love. But there is one other MAJOR franchise that everyone likes to talk up, and the one thing that makes it SO UNIQUE is that it is also the one that has movies appear on a ton of "Best Ever" lists. That would be the Sam Raimi controlled Evil Dead franchise. We certainly love it here at CCD, so Jedi Rob invited Mike D and Kristen "KMG" Grillo down to the nerd cave to discuss the highs and lows (not many of them, but there are a few) of the 3 original films... as well as the remake, video games, comic books, the musical and also the upcoming Ash vs The Evil Dead TV series. It is a hell of a good time, so check out the first part and get ready for Deadite Hunting Season (which begins on October 31st, 2015 at 9 pm on Starz).

The CCD Podcast: Episode #72 - Live From The Floor of New York Comic-Con 2015 " I Can't believe They Gave Us A Booth At This Thing ?!?"

In what has been a whirlwind week we here at CCD.NYC had the privilege of having our very first BOOTH at NYCC. Located in The Block section of the floor (where all the cool kids are!), we repped our brand hard and did some amazing things. We launched our first custom toy collaboration with Joey Armao (The CCDemons were a big hit), we sold the original art of over 20 artists (prints available now by clicking here), and we even had a hidden backroom area where we recorded some amazing podcasts! Rob & Leland also took to the floor to interview some of our favorite vendors, and the results are amazing (a montage video is coming!)... so give our NYCC 2015 Episode a listen ya'll!