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Superman Returns came out in 2006 and asked audiences a very sincere question: what if Superman, but sad? Brandon Routh brooded his way across the big screen, lifting improbable objects and pining for Lois Lane, and somewhere in a boardroom, someone decided this emotionally complex theatrical event needed to be a video game on four different platforms. Five if you count the Game Boy Advance version, which is technically a different game but we’re counting it anyway because we <del>paid good money</del> decided that we just needed to talk about it.

The PS2 and Xbox versions let you fly around Metropolis, absorbing explosions with your face in service of a health bar that belonged to the city rather than Superman himself, which is either a genuinely clever design idea or the most passive-aggressive mechanic in superhero gaming history. The Xbox 360 version turned the whole thing into an open-world showcase for what next-gen hardware could do, which in 2006 meant “look at those buildings.” The DS version was a side-scrolling beat-em-up. The GBA version was something else entirely. Superman Returns contained multitudes, is what we’re saying.

Joining me to dig through the whole sprawling, melancholy, city-defending mess is Adam Williamson, real-life friend, frequent Play Comics guest, and owner of a podcast idea that has been marinating for what I can only describe as a concerning length of time. Adam, I say this with love: at some point you’re going to have to actually make the thing. In the meantime, he’s here, the knowledge is flowing, and we’ve got a Superman game across half a console generation to get through.

So settle in, try not to let the city’s health bar drop to zero, and let’s find out whether Superman Returns deserved better — from Hollywood, from the games industry, and honestly, maybe from all of us.

Learn such things as:

• Did we finally crack the secret on how to make a good Superman game buried somewhere deep inside this one?
• Are real estate moguls the true evil in today’s society?
• Are you a deadbeat dad if nobody besides you knows that you’re the father?
• And so much more!

You can find Adam on BlueSky @effectnotaffect and absolutely nowhere else except for on Play Comics where he writes comic reviews and appears on other episodes. Of particular interest to listeners of this episode are The Gimmick #1 and The Job #1.

If you want to be a guest on the show please check out the Be a A Guest on the Show page and let me know what you’re interested in.

The next episode is going to be Garfield’s Nightmare and Scary Scavenger Hunt, so get your thoughts ready and over to me if you want to hear them in the show.

If you want to help support the show check out the Play Comics Patreon page or head over to the Support page if you want to go another route. You can also check out the Play Comics Merch Store.

Play Comics is part of the Gonna Geek Network, which is a wonderful collection of geeky podcasts. Be sure to check out the other shows on Gonna Geek if you need more of a nerd fix.

You can find Play Comics @playcomics.bsky.social on Bluesky, @playcomicspodcast on Threads, @playcomics on YouTube, or the Play Comics website.

If you want to hear Chris talk with Karrington Martin about the lessons we learned from children’s media and how crazy it is that we’re supposed to just forget about that now that we’re adults, then Sugar, Spite, and Everything is Fine is probably something you should check out.

A big thanks to Big Game Saga Issue 2 and DC Specialcast for the promos today.

Intro/Outro Music by Backing Track, who just wants the Supergirl movie to be good.

Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-89f00a for 40% off for 4 months, and support Play Comics.

Full disclosure, this episode isn’t exactly “cheap” but it was necessary. Paul is having a bit of a tough time at the moment, and wanted to do something where he could let off some steam and have some genuine fun… So, on his own dime, Paul has paid for him and Eli to have a day out at one of the UK’s best known theme parks, Thorpe Park in Surrey. It’s been a long time since either of the Cheap Chaps had visited Thorpe Park, so now is a good time to check out the big, scary rides that exist past the turnstiles! They’ve only got a little over 5 hours, so they’ll cram in as much as they can. Paul can’t get enough of the most intense, thrilling rides at the park, but Eli may be a little more reluctant to be thrown about. This week, allow us to “have a bit of fun” as Paul and Eli tackle long queues, junk food, an overwhelming number of “young people”, and experience some of the most intense rollercoasters the UK has to offer. Whether you like it or not, you’ll hear every scream, cheer and roar of the rides this week on a temporarily “not cheap” episode of CheapShow. See pics/videos for this episode on our website: https://www.thecheapshow.co.uk/ep-494-theme-parklife GET TICKETS FOR Ep 500 LIVE Cambridge Junction (J2) August 23rd @ 4pm https://www.junction.co.uk/events/cheapshow-podcast-live/ www.patreon.com/cheapshow If you want to get involved, email us at thecheapshow@gmail.com For all other information, please visit: www.thecheapshow.co.uk Like, Review, Share, Comment... LOVE US! MERCH Official CheapShow Magazine Shop: www.cheapmag.shop Send Us Stuff: CheapShow PO BOX 1309 Harrow HA1 9QJ

In Episode 25 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by LEGO collector, creator, and chrome-plating expert Eli, better known online as ChromeDaddyBricks. What begins as a lifelong love of LEGO castles evolves into a unique niche within the hobby: transforming ordinary LEGO elements into stunning chrome creations using the same industrial processes found in the automotive industry.

Eli shares how his day job manufacturing automotive components led him to experiment with chrome-plating LEGO parts, eventually creating everything from chrome Star Wars ships and Speed Champions cars to custom minifigures, animals, and one-of-a-kind convention giveaways. Along the way, he explains the science behind physical vapor deposition, why chrome LEGO is harder to create than most people realize, and what actually happens when metal bonds to plastic.

The conversation dives deep into LEGO collecting, classic Castle nostalgia, the evolution of LEGO elements, brittle brown horror stories, and the challenge of balancing an expanding collection with real-world responsibilities. Eli also discusses the custom projects fans have commissioned over the years, including giant chrome starships, rare LEGO animals, and the surprising popularity of chrome Formula 1 cars.

Jon and Eli explore the intersection of LEGO, engineering, manufacturing, and creativity while swapping stories about convention culture, rare sets, display collections, and the joy of building for the sheer fun of it. Whether you're fascinated by LEGO customization, industrial manufacturing, or simply appreciate creative people finding unique ways to engage with the hobby, this episode offers a fascinating look at a side of the LEGO community most fans have never seen.

📍 Find Eli (ChromeDaddyBricks): • Instagram: @chromedaddybricks • TikTok: @chromedaddybricks • YouTube: @chromedaddybricks

 

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app 

Until next time… play well.

In this episode of 3 Movies That Changed Your Life screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with script consultant Danny Manus about: A Few Good Men, My Cousin Vinny, and The Ice Storm. Discover how these films shaped his screenwriting journey, personal growth, and understanding of cinema’s power. Plus, Danny Manus discusses what a script consultant does and how they can help you improve a script and become a better writer. Movies That Changed Your Life   Find out about what a script consultant does and how they can help you write a script and become a better writer and the lasting impact of cinema on Danny Manus’s life with Stuart Wright on his movie podcast.   Three common aspects of script feedback Danny Manus gives to writer: [1:20] 1) Integrating the plot and character; [6:40] 2) Being able to identify your hook; and  [18:00] 3) The art of scene writing. [40:20] What makes a good writer for a script consultant? 3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life A Few Good Men (1992): Noticing writing [15:40] Today, Danny Manus is a huge fan of both Aaron Sorkin and Rob Reiner, but watching A Few Good Men as a 12/13 year old, he saw for the first time, the power in the writing of a movie. It’s a master class in the rhythm and build of a story through dialogue. My Cousin Vinny (1992): Unable to stop laughing [21:30] My Cousin Vinny is Danny Manus’s favourite comedy of all time. He’s seen it over and over 100 times, but when he saw it in theatres aged 12/13 it was the first time he couldn’t catch his breath because he was laughing too hard. The Ice Storm (1997): Teen storylines   [27:40] Danny believes there is no American Beauty without The Ice Storm. He simply loves a family dysfunction movie. The teen storylines spoke to him and were echoed in his own early screenwriting efforts at college. Key Take Aways:   Discover how movies that changed your life shape personal and professional growth.  How to integrating plot and character; Can you identify your hook? Learn the art of scene writing. What makes a good writer for a script consultant? Learn what a script consultant does and how they can help you improve a script and become a better writer Understand cinema’s transformative power through A Few Good Men (1992), My Cousin Vinny (1992), The Ice Storm (1997) Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts for more movies that impacted your life!  Share your favourite movies that impacted your life on X (@leytonrocks) and leave a 5-star review and tell us which 3 films impacted your adult life. Best ones get read out on the podcast About my Guest:   Danny Manus is a script consultant and founder of No BullScript Consulting, which has been helping writers since 2009.  For more about his script consultancy services see https://www.nobullscript.net/about-daniel/    Credits:   Written, produced, and hosted by Stuart Wright for [Britflicks.com](https://www.britflicks.com/britflicks-podcast/)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

• 00:01:40 — Manual Farts Only: A listener thinks the fart is part of the intro, and the crew proudly explains that BLC uses real, handcrafted gas like podcast artisans.
• 00:02:12 — Pride Month Musical Parker: Parker starts singing the show open, and the guys immediately question how a man who hates musicals keeps turning the podcast into one.
• 00:03:24 — Congratulations on Your Marriage, Sorry: The crew congratulates a listener on getting married, then immediately explains that 100% of divorces are caused by marriage. Romance is alive and filing paperwork.
• 00:04:01 — Not a Math Podcast: After absolutely butchering percentages, the crew reminds everyone that BLC is not accounting-related. Finally, a disclaimer that feels legally useful.
• 00:04:45 — Shirtless Men on the White House Lawn: The Freedom 250 becomes America’s newest summer tradition: patriotic MMA, fighter jets, and watching grappling from the darkness.
• 00:06:13 — Kid Rock’s Dream America: Fred describes the event’s flyover energy as something between Top Gun, Kid Rock, Cobra Kai, and Idiocracy, which is either a warning or a campaign slogan.
• 00:11:34 — Sports Worm Reports Live: Sports Worm arrives from “Mexico,” insists he is an American worm, and immediately starts making World Cup predictions like someone who found soccer in a cereal box.
• 00:13:46 — Zamunda Wins the World Cup: Sports Worm picks Zamunda, then Wakanda, proving he may understand fictional geography better than actual soccer.
• 00:17:39 — USA by Default: Parker picks the United States because of America, while Fred backs Argentina and Messi with slightly more actual sports logic.
• 00:19:03 — Satan’s World Cup Analysis: Satan predicts a U.S. win because the deals have already been made, which is probably still better than most betting podcasts.

#blcpodcast #podcastingforthepeople #funny #podcast #greenvillesc #scpodcast #yeahthatgreenville Listen at: https://americasfavoritepodcast.com  Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blcpodcast/ Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blcpodcast/ Buy Fred and Allan Beer: https://www.patreon.com/blcworld 
 

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Somewhere out there is a piece of Superman history that almost nobody remembers exists. Not because it was bad. Not because it flopped. It just… vanished off the internet one day, like it got caught in a Phantom Zone projector aimed at a server farm. That’s the story of The Multipath Adventures of Superman, and we’re about to dig it back up.

The whole thing started life as a CD project dreamed up with actual comic book writers, including Louise Simonson and Steve Englehart, before publisher Brilliant Digital Entertainment decided the format worked better as an ongoing online series. So you got Menace of Metallo on disc, and then a sprawling, branching, multi-arc saga that lived entirely on the internet, complete with a villain who time-travels just to make everyone’s life harder. And then, because this is the late ’90s internet we’re talking about, the entire thing quietly vanished. No re-releases, no remasters, just a bunch of dead links and a handful of people insisting this was real and they didn’t dream it.

So yes, this episode is a little bit of a cheat. We usually stick to games you could buy off a shelf and put in a console. This is software, distributed on a CD-ROM and later piecemeal over a dial-up connection, that you had to install a special plugin just to run. But it’s a piece of Superman history that’s basically slipped through the cracks of the internet entirely, and that felt worth breaking the rules for.

Helping me dig through the wreckage is Chris Baker from SuperHero.vg, who has spent decades working on actual superhero games at places like Marvel and LucasArts and literally wrote the book on this stuff with WRONG! Retro Games, You Messed Up Our Comic Book Heroes! If anyone can tell us whether this lost relic deserves to stay lost, it’s him.

So load up the B3D Projector, brace for some early-internet voice acting, and let’s see how many ways Metropolis can end before lunch.

Learn such things as:

• What happens when a piece of officially licensed Superman media just disappears off the internet?
• Is watching a Choose Your Own Adventure even a game?
• Is anyone at DC kicking themselves now since there’s probably dozens of people who want to see this?
• And so much more!

You can find Chris over at  SuperHero.vg or @cbake76 on BlueSky or Threads. Or both. And if you listened all the way to the end and want to read the review that Chris shared with me, here’s the link he mentioned.

If you want to be a guest on the show please check out the Be a A Guest on the Show page and let me know what you’re interested in.

The next episode is going to be [Episode Name Here], so get your thoughts ready and over to me if you want to hear them in the show.

If you want to help support the show check out the Play Comics Patreon page or head over to the Support page if you want to go another route. You can also check out the Play Comics Merch Store.

Play Comics is part of the Gonna Geek Network, which is a wonderful collection of geeky podcasts. Be sure to check out the other shows on Gonna Geek if you need more of a nerd fix.

You can find Play Comics @playcomics.bsky.social on Bluesky, @playcomicspodcast on Threads, @playcomics on YouTube, or the Play Comics website.

If you want to hear Chris talk with Karrington Martin about the lessons we learned from children’s media and how crazy it is that we’re supposed to just forget about that now that we’re adults, then Sugar, Spite, and Everything is Fine is probably something you should check out.

A big thanks to Gimmicks and Infinite Earths Guide for the promos today.

Intro/Outro Music by Backing Track, who definitely does exist even though I’ve never seen physical proof with my own eyes.

Support Play Comics by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/playcomics

Check out our podcast host, Pinecast. Start your own podcast for free with no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-89f00a for 40% off for 4 months, and support Play Comics.

(Stereo Version) Whenever the UK gets a sniff of hot weather, Paul wants to make sure CheapShow is getting the best out of it by grabbing the handheld recorder and convincing Eli to head out into the heat. This year, Gannon may have pushed his luck a bit too far. A few years ago, they headed out into the sun for a boozy bunk off episode, and Paul wanted to recreate that this week, but Eli (rightly) thinks it’s a bad idea. It’s made worse by Paul’s insistence to do a bit of geocaching when all Eli wants to do is find shade and eat fatty food and drink. To say that nothing goes smoothly, or to plan, is a massive understatement as the Cheap Chaps trapse around Ruislip Lido and the nearby woods looking for SOMETHING to go right. It’s another Summer Bumper Walkabout Episode and you are welcome to it! See pics/videos for this episode on our website: https://www.thecheapshow.co.uk/ep-493-the-boys-of-summer-2 GET TICKETS FOR Ep 500 LIVE Cambridge Junction (J2) August 23rd @ 4pm https://www.junction.co.uk/events/cheapshow-podcast-live/ www.patreon.com/cheapshow If you want to get involved, email us at thecheapshow@gmail.com For all other information, please visit: www.thecheapshow.co.uk Like, Review, Share, Comment... LOVE US! MERCH Official CheapShow Magazine Shop: www.cheapmag.shop Send Us Stuff: CheapShow PO BOX 1309 Harrow HA1 9QJ

In Episode 24 of Tales From The Brick, Jon (8 Bit Bricks) is joined by LEGO artist, convention builder, and cancer survivor Meredith, better known in the LEGO community as Pink Wheels. What starts as a conversation about growing up with Paradisa and returning to LEGO as a parent quickly becomes a story about creativity, community, and perseverance.

Meredith shares how building alongside her daughter helped pull her out of her LEGO dark age and into the world of AFOLs, LUGs, conventions, and MOC building. From sorting thousands of pounds of bulk LEGO in suburban Atlanta to creating colorful castles, cyberpunk skyscrapers, and character-driven displays, she talks about how her style evolved and why she constantly pushes herself toward more challenging builds.

The conversation dives into Peach LUG, convention culture, and Meredith’s experiences contributing to the legendary New Hashima cyberpunk collaboration. She shares behind-the-scenes stories from BrickWorld, the chaos of managing massive collaborative displays, and why some of the best convention memories come from solving problems alongside friends.

Meredith also opens up about her battle with breast cancer and the incredible support she received from the LEGO community. From receiving advice from fellow builders who had faced cancer themselves to building LEGO during treatment and finding motivation through upcoming conventions, she reflects on how creativity, friendship, and a shared love of the hobby helped carry her through some of life's most difficult moments.

Along the way, the pair discuss LEGO Friends, Ninjago, Homestar Runner, Great Ball Contraptions, convention memories, and why the LEGO community continues to be one of the most welcoming and supportive fandoms around.

📍 Find Meredith (Pink Wheels): • Instagram: @pinkwheels

 

To find the best LEGO deals, check out the Bargain Bricks app 

Until next time… play well.

In this episode of 3 Movies That Changed Your Life screenwriter Stuart Wright talks with the Mayor Of East Midlands, Claire Ward about: It's A Wonderful Life, On The Town, and Gladiator. Discover how these films shaped her journey through life, personal growth, and understanding of cinema’s power. Claire also talks about why and possibly how East Midlands hopes to attract more film and TV productions to the region.  Movies That Changed Your Life   Find out about how East Midlands hopes to attract more film and TV productions to the region and the lasting impact of cinema on Claire Ward’s life with Stuart Wright on his movie podcast.   [1:20] Why and how the Mayor of East Midlands office hopes to attract more film and TV productions to the region 3 Films That Have Impacted Everything In Your Adult Life It's A Wonderful Life (1946): Approach life with a sense of optimism  [10:00] It's A Wonderful Life encapsulates Claire’s approach to life. Always think about the good things you have, value what you have and feel how lucky you are. And approach life with a sense of optimism.  On The Town (1949): Huge Frank Sinatra fan [21:30] Claire has always been a massive fan of On The Town. Probably because she has been a fan of Frank Sinatra since she was three years old and got to meet him when she was seven. Gladiator (2000): Perfect soundtrack to wind down to   [27:40] When Gladiator Claire was an MP, in the first term of the new Labour government and was a DCMS select committee member. No matter what kind of day she had had, the Gladiator film score would take her to a good place and help her unwind. Key Take Aways:   Discover how movies that changed your life shape personal and professional growth.  Why and how the Mayor of East Midlands office hopes to attract more film and TV productions to the region  Understand cinema’s transformative power through It's A Wonderful Life (1946), On The Town (1949), Gladiator (2000) Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, follow on Spotify or wherever you listen to your podcasts for more movies that impacted your life!  Share your favourite movies that impacted your life on X (@leytonrocks) and leave a 5-star review and tell us which 3 films impacted your adult life. Best ones get read out on the podcast About my Guest:   Claire Ward is the Mayor Of East Midlands for the Labour Party. For more information about what Claire Ward's office does for the region see https://www.eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk/the-mayor/  To contact the Claire Ward and her team please use themayor@eastmidlands-cca.gov.uk Credits:   Intro/Outro music: *Rocking The Stew* by Tokyo Dragons (https://www.instagram.com/slomaxster/)  Written, produced, and hosted by Stuart Wright for [Britflicks.com](https://www.britflicks.com/britflicks-podcast/)   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 242 of The Black Lincoln Collective Comedy Podcast, Fred is back, alive to the show again, and immediately welcomed with the kind of dignity this program is famous for: a discussion about synthetic farts, AI-generated gas, and the need for “real farts” in modern podcasting. It is, somehow, a return to normal.

The crew kicks things off by welcoming a new listener, Dale from Canada, before revisiting the emotional damage caused by Fred missing the previous episode. Parker and Allan remind him that, in his absence, they were forced to slap together a show without him and do all the things he would normally veto. Fred, naturally, did not listen. Friendship is beautiful.

From there, Fred launches into the main story: his family vacation to Hilton Head Island. Before the trip even begins, he manages to back into an elderly woman’s car while trying to buy a shirt for a funeral, which is pretty much the perfect tone-setter for any relaxing getaway. Once the family arrives at the Hilton Head resort, things do not get much smoother. The resort is described as a confusing four-building maze with offset rectangles, broken elevators, long walks, inconvenient room layouts, and a setup that seems specifically designed to punish anyone traveling with kids, luggage, or a working sense of direction.

The group has to reshuffle rooms after discovering one unit is spacious enough for the whole family while the other is basically vacation Tetris. Then there is the long walk to the beach, a convenient bar at the end of the boardwalk, and Fred’s encounter with the “hurricane challenge,” which escalates exactly as irresponsibly as expected.

The vacation continues with glitter ice, the fear of shiny poop, expensive golf, rain, Hilton Head golf course prices, and one terrifying stinger of a golf shot that may or may not have launched across the island’s main road. Nobody was arrested, so technically the vacation was a success.

It is a classic BLC episode: weird, loud, sarcastic, and mostly a warning label.

#blcpodcast #podcastingforthepeople #funny #podcast #greenvillesc #scpodcast #yeahthatgreenville Listen at: https://americasfavoritepodcast.com  Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/blcpodcast/ Check us out on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blcpodcast/ Buy Fred and Allan Beer: https://www.patreon.com/blcworld