In this exciting episode, we explore the controversial decision to give fictional characters like Batman a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. We also dive into trailers for The Last of Us Season 2 and Marvel’s Thunderbolts, along with discussions about DC’s upcoming movie featuring Bane and Deathstroke. To wrap things up, we sit down with special guest David Howard, writer of Blood World: Phoenix Throne, to chat about world-building, storytelling, and his creative journey. Whether you're a superhero movie fanatic or a lover of sci-fi/fantasy worlds, this episode has something for everyone!

Timestamps and Topics:
00:00 – Introduction and fictional characters on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
10:00 – The Last of Us Season 2 trailer and House of the Dragon critique
18:17 – Thunderbolts trailer and Marvel’s grounded approach
22:56 – Bane and Deathstroke’s DC movie: What we know so far
28:29 – Casting for Lanterns series and thoughts on Green Lantern in the DCU
34:14 – Live service games and the downfall of Concord
45:02 – Interview with David Howard on his new book Blood World: Phoenix Throne
59:04 – How David Howard blends fantasy, technology, and humanity in his world-building
01:19:00 – Closing remarks and October streaming recommendations

Key Takeaways:

• The decision to give fictional characters stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame has sparked debate about prestige vs. commercialization.
• The Last of Us Season 2 trailer teases new characters and challenges, including potential comparisons to The Walking Dead.
• Marvel's Thunderbolts will showcase a grounded, spy-thriller vibe, expanding its universe with more anti-heroes and complex characters.
• DC is developing a movie featuring Bane and Deathstroke, which could offer a fresh villain-focused story for fans.
• Live service games continue to struggle with longevity; Concord is the latest example of a big-budget failure.
• David Howard’s Blood World explores intricate world-building with elements of fantasy, technology, and deep storytelling.

Quotes:

• “Giving Batman a star opens a whole new can of worms. What about Superman or Iron Man?”
• “Splitting The Last of Us Part 2 into multiple seasons feels like a risk, but it could pay off if done right.”
• “Marvel’s Thunderbolts feels like the spy thriller we’ve been missing in the MCU. It brings the action but keeps the stakes grounded.”
• “In Blood World, I wanted to explore how humanity interacts with technology in a way that feels both futuristic and relatable.” – David Howard

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Links and Resources:

• Visit GeekFreaksPodcast.com for the latest news, articles, and updates from the world of geek culture!
• Learn more about David Howard’s Blood World: Phoenix Throne and where you can get your copy: https://dwhoward.com/
• Howard on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.howard.1238 

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Listener Questions:
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Apple Podcast Tags:
Movies, TV, Marvel, DC, superheroes, gaming, The Last of Us, Thunderbolts, Green Lantern, Bane, Deathstroke, Blood World, David Howard, live service games, Hollywood Walk of Fame