THE UNDERTOW PODCAST
By Robert Watson
A podcast dedicated to the crime comics of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.
THE UNDERTOW PODCASTJan 25, 2024
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01:08:44
Episode 46 - 2023 Year in Review
The crew is back in the Undertow to discuss the last two original graphic novels to be released from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, Night Fever and Where the Body Was. As always, listen in to hear our reading recommendations as well as a discussion on the latest news around the Brubaker/Phillips partnership, including the forthcoming Criminal TV series being produced at Amazon.
Jan 25, 202401:08:44
Episode 45 - Night Fever Anticipation and Hollywood News
We're back in the Undertow for a quick episode discussing this week's release of Night Fever, the latest graphic novel from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. We also talk about the latest Hollywood news happening around Pulp and Criminal, and offer our not too serious casting suggestions for the Criminal cast of characters.
Jun 13, 202348:59
Episode 44 - Follow Me Down: Like I Said, I Make My Own Laws
We are back in the Undertow to discuss Follow Me Down, the latest Reckless original graphic novel from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. We also talk Teeg's Christmas Carol, the team's next scheduled project, Night Fever, and all of the recent news surrounding the Brubaker/Phillips partnership. Recommendations from the Undertow crew include an upcoming Conan series from Titan Comics and a Deep Space Nine whodunit Too Long a Sacrifice.
Jan 01, 202301:15:12
Episode 43 - The Ghost In You
We're back in the Undertow to talk about all the latest news from the Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips partnership, including our breakdown of The Ghost In You, the 4th book in the Reckless Series, and Heat 2, the new novel from Michael Mann and Meg Gardiner.
Oct 11, 202201:06:41
Episode 42 - Destroy All Monsters
The crew is back in the Undertow to discuss Destroy All Monsters, the third Reckless graphic novel from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, as well as the latest news items including Brubaker's upcoming animated Batman television show, Batman: Caped Crusader.
Apr 11, 202201:07:01
Episode 41 - Friend of the Devil
Robert and Bubba are back in the Undertow to discuss Friend of the Devil, the latest Reckless graphic novel from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.
Oct 18, 202101:05:56
Episode 40 - Talking Reckless in the Undertow
Robert is back in the Undertow to discuss Reckless, the latest original graphic novel from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. He is joined by special guest Matt Lazorwitz. Matt is a comics writer and podcaster for ComicsXF.
Feb 25, 202101:04:22
Episode 39 - Pulp: Sometimes You Gotta Break the Law to Do the Right Thing
In this episode, Robert discusses Reckless, the upcoming original graphic novel from Brubaker & Phillips, as well as a quick breakdown of Pulp and a recommendation for the 1992 Clint Eastwood film, Unforgiven.
Dec 14, 202020:48
Episode 38 - Comics From a Cruel Summer: Friday, Catwoman anthology, Brutal Dark, and That Texas Blood
We return to the Undertow to discuss Ed Brubaker and Marcos Martin's new online comic Friday, Brubaker's 12-page contribution to the recent Catwoman anthology, and That Texas Blood and Brutal Dark from the up-and-coming comics team of Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips. We also discuss the latest news in preparation of the release of Pulp this week and round out the episode with a couple 90s film recommendations.
Jul 28, 202001:10:13
Episode 37 - Criminal #12
We return to the Undertow to talk about Criminal #12, the final issue of the Cruel Summer arc and the death of our old friend Teeg Lawless. In addition to an update on all of the latest news around projects from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, the Undertow team rounds out the episode with recommendations for Marvel's new Conan The Barbarian comic series and Bob Dylan's best songs about crime.
Apr 02, 202001:30:26
Episode 36 - Cruel Summer and Winter Break
After a long winter break, the team is back in the Undertow to update our listeners on all of the latest news from the world of Brubaker and Phillips and discuss the last several issues of Criminal leading to the finale of the Cruel Summer arc.
Jan 28, 202001:16:01
Episode 35 - Criminal #7
With the new issue of Criminal set to come out tomorrow, Robert drops into the Undertow for a quick discussion of last month's Issue #7 focusing on Ricky Lawless.
Sep 24, 201913:50
Episode 34 - Six Months of Criminal, Part 2: Issue #6
After a brief summer hiatus, the crew is back in the Undertow to discuss the first six months of the current Criminal monthly series from Image Comics and dive into Issue #6, the second chapter of the Cruel Summer arc. Following the Criminal discussion are recommendations for two Liam Neeson films, Cold Pursuit and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.
Aug 12, 201944:12
Episode 33 - Six Months of Criminal, Part 1: Issue #5
After a brief summer hiatus, the crew is back in the Undertow to discuss the first six months of the current Criminal monthly series from Image Comics and dive into Issue #5, the first chapter of the Cruel Summer arc. As always, we kick off the episode with a rundown of all of the recent Brubaker & Phillips news.
Aug 01, 201957:13
Episode 32 - Criminal #4
In this month's episode, Robert talks about Criminal #4, the latest issue in the new monthly series from Image Comics. He also discusses the recent news in the world of Brubaker and Phillips, including the team's new feature interview in the digital comics magazine PanelxPanel.
Jun 03, 201919:58
Bonus Undertow Discussion - Robert talks with comic book creator and illustrator Pete Taylor
In this episode of the podcast, Robert has a rare early morning conversation with small press comic creator and artist Pete Taylor on his history with the work of Brubaker and Phillips and the many real world comic industry references in the recently wrapped Criminal arc, Bad Weekend. Pete is a frequent contributor to the Lakes International Comic Art Festival Podcast and brings to light some absolutely fascinating details from what Brubaker calls the comic industry's long history of "sad tales and sordid gossip." This episode was recorded a few weeks ago before Criminal #4 was released, but adds a lot of context to the podcast's earlier conversation on Criminal #3.
May 06, 201946:33
Episode 31 - Criminal #3
The team returns to the Undertow to talk about the Bad Weekend arc of Criminal that ended with last month's issue #3. Also covered is the latest news in the world of Brubaker and Phillips, including the upcoming Amazon series Too Old to Die Young. Lastly, the team ends the show with their monthly recommendations.
Apr 20, 201953:25
Episode 30 - Criminal #2
In this month's episode, Robert talks about Criminal #2, the latest issue in the new monthly series from Image Comics. He also discusses the recent news in the world of Brubaker and Phillips, including an upcoming deluxe edition of Kill Or Be Killed and Ed Brubaker's recent interview on Word Balloon Comics Podcast.
Mar 15, 201924:55
Episode 29 - Criminal #1
Criminal is back as a new monthly series from Image comics, so the team returns to the Undertow to talk about January's issue #1. We discuss all of the latest news in the world of Brubaker and Phillips, and our monthly recommendations are the comics Gunning for Hits and the Joe Simon/Jack Kirby anthology Crime.
Feb 07, 201901:16:37
Episode 28 - A Criminal Family Tree
In this episode, the podcast team is back in the Undertow to discuss the large and expansive Criminal family tree to get our listeners ready for the January 9th release of Criminal #1, which is returning as a monthly book from Image Comics. To round out the episode, Bubba gives a recommendation for He-Man and the Masters of the Universe Minicomic Collection.
Jan 07, 201901:01:22
Episode 27 - My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies
In this episode, the Undertow team discusses the latest work from Brubaker and Phillips, the original graphic novel My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies. They also discuss the recent news that Criminal will be returning as a monthly book from Image comics and feature several songs throughout the podcast episode from Ellie's mixtape.
Nov 26, 201801:10:10
Episode 26 - Case File: Gotham Noir
In this episode, Robert discusses Batman: Gotham Noir, a 2001 DC Elseworlds graphic novel that represents one of the early works in the Brubaker and Phillips partnership. The team's interpretation of Gotham City in 1949 is a great read as it is one their few forays into the superhero genre and contains many of the plot devices that would be used again throughout their subsequent comics. A year later, both Brubaker and Phillips worked on a single issue of DC's regular monthly Batman book, Batman #603. This episode also contains a brief discussion on the upcoming graphic novel My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies and some exciting news about a new monthly Criminal book coming in January.
Oct 01, 201820:53
Episode 25 - Kill Or Be Killed #20
On this episode, the Undertow team dives in to the Kill Or Be Killed finale in Issue #20. We also give our thoughts on the series as a whole and where it ranks in the catalog of Brubaker and Phillips. The episode also features a brief discussion on the upcoming original graphic novel from the team set to be released this October, My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies. Our monthly recommendations this month are Jack & Lucy, by Rachael Smith and Jacob Phillips, and 361, a Donald Westlake novel from Hard Case Crime.
Aug 12, 201801:21:52
Episode 24 - Kill Or Be Killed #19
We are back in the Undertow this month to talk about the action-packed and very dramatic events of Kill or Be Killed #19 and the impending series conclusion. As always, we cover all of the latest news in the world of Brubaker and Phillips and recommend a brand new graphic novel adaptation of Lawrence Block's Eight Million Ways to Die by artist John K. Snyder III.
Jun 25, 201854:36
Episode 23 - Kill Or Be Killed #18
In this month's episode, Robert discusses Kill Or Be Killed #18 and the quickly approaching series conclusion coming later this summer. His recommendation for the month is In the Pines, a graphic novel adaptation of 5 murder ballads by the Dutch cartoonist Erik Kriek. The book was released by Fantagraphics in July 2017.
May 24, 201824:44
Episode 22 - Kill Or Be Killed #17
We return to the Undertow this month to talk about Kill Or Be Killed #17 and the countdown to the conclusion of the series. As always, we kick things off with a Brubaker/Phillips news update, and close out the episode with our monthly recommendations, including the podcast Cocaine & Rhinestones and some creative YouTube mash-up trickery.
Apr 19, 201801:10:04
Episode 21 - Kill Or Be Killed #16
In this month's episode, the Undertow crew discusses Kill or Be Killed #16 and the interesting developments happening in the life of Dylan Cross. We start the episode off with the latest Brubaker and Phillips news and finish with music recommendations for The Breeders's classic Last Splash and Bruce Springsteen's noir-tinged 1982 album Nebraska.
Mar 10, 201801:04:04
Episode 20 - Kill Or Be Killed #15
We are back in The Undertow this month with Guinness in hand to discuss Kill Or Be Killed #15, the first issue of the book's fourth arc. We also dive in to a recent video interview of Sean Phillips from a French comic convention that included a wealth of interesting news from the world of Brubaker/Phillips. Recommendations for this episode are two works from 2013, the Tom Hardy film Locke and the Brian K. Vaughan/Marcos Martin comic The Private Eye.
Feb 12, 201801:04:55
Episode 19 - Kill Or Be Killed #14
In this month's abridged episode, Robert discusses Kill Or Be Killed #14, the final issue of the comic's third arc, and briefly touches on the exciting news of a KOBK movie in development. His recommendations for the month are The Art of Sean Phillips, a 2013 career-spanning retrospective and Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey.
Jan 15, 201830:56
Episode 18 - Kill Or Be Killed #13
We return to the Undertow for this month's discussion on Kill Or Be Killed #13, the latest issue in the ongoing Image Comics series from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Our monthly recommendations are the new crime comic Slots by Dan Panosian and Whiteout, the late 90s mini-series from Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber.
Nov 27, 201701:08:45
Episode 16 - Kill Or Be Killed #11
The team is back in The Undertow talking Kill Or Be Killed #11, the latest issue in the ongoing Brubaker/Phillips series that shows protagonist Dylan going through an emotional roller coaster. Recommendations for the month are The X-files Season 5 episode The Post Modern Prometheus and the IDW sci-fi comic Strange Science Fantasy.
Sep 12, 201701:19:45
Episode 15 - Kill Or Be Killed #10
The crew returns to the Undertow this month to discuss Kill Or Be Killed #10, the finale of the comic's second arc. We also get everyone up to speed on all of the latest news from the world of Brubaker & Phillips and offer up our monthly recommendations, the brand new Christopher Nolan film Dunkirk and the classic Hollywood crime film from 1967, Bonnie & Clyde.
Aug 08, 201701:19:54
Episode 14 - Bonus Discussion on A.D. After Death
In lieu of recommendations on our last episode on Kill Or Be Killed #9, here's a bonus episode for our Undertow listeners on the recently wrapped Image comics miniseries A.D. After Death by Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire. We both enjoyed this book immensely, and to no one's suprise, ended up talking about it in relation to Brubaker and Phillips partnership as well. Great sci-fi, with a touch of crime, and gorgeous watercolors made this a fun to book to read and break down.
Jul 18, 201742:08
Episode 13 - Kill Or Be Killed #9
We are back in The Undertow this month to discuss Kill Or Be Killed #9 and all the latest Brubaker & Phillips news, including the intriguing mention of a "short Criminal graphic novella" in the most recent Ed Brubaker newsletter. There are no recommendations this month (except for beverage recommendations...), but look for a bonus episode in the coming weeks where we do an in-depth discussion on the very strong sci-fi miniseries A.D. After Death.
Jun 29, 201730:54
Episode 12 - Kill Or Be Killed #8
We return to The Undertow this month to discuss KOBK #8 and all of the latest news regarding the team of Brubaker & Phillips. Recommendations from the crew are Steven Soderbergh's crime film The Limey and Jeff Lemire's new Image comic, Royal City.
May 26, 201756:36
Episode 11 - Kill Or Be Killed #7
We're back in The Undertow this month to talk about the latest issue of Kill or be Killed, a great issue from Kira's point of view. As always, we've got news and recommendations for our listeners, including Michael Mann's Miami Vice and Brian Wood's great Vertigo comic, DMZ.
Apr 18, 201756:22
Episode 10 - Kill Or Be Killed #6
We return to The Undertow this month to talk all things Brubaker and Phillips, including Kill Or Be Killed #6. Recommendations from the crew for our March episode are Conan the Slayer from Dark Horse comics and the 2005 Australian western The Proposition.
Mar 10, 201752:24
Episode 9 - Kill Or Be Killed #5
The crew returns to the Undertow this month to talk about Kill Or Be Killed #5, the 1st issue of the 2nd arc of the series, plus a brief mention about Ed Brubaker and Nicolas Winding Refn's recently announced Amazon series Too Old To Die Young. Recommendations this month also include Planetoid and the anthology The Mammoth Book of Best Crime Comics.
Feb 17, 201746:57
Episode 8 - Case File: Scene of the Crime
In this episode, we take you all the way back to the very first collaboration between Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark, and Sean Phillips, the 4-issue miniseries Scene of the Crime. Scene of the Crime was originally published by Vertigo back in 1999, and shows that the team was firing on all cylinders right out of the gate. Recommendations this month are the films Batman (1989) and The Outfit, a 1973 adaptation of the Richard Stark novel.
Jan 25, 201701:08:58
Episode 7 - Kill Or Be Killed #4
Another month has passed and we are back in the Undertow for Episode 7 as we talk Kill or Be Killed #4 and the conclusion of the series' first arc! As always, we've got monthly recommendations including the 1998 neo-noir film Dark City and news from the world of Brubaker and Phillips.
Dec 17, 201601:01:16
Episode 6 - Kill Or Be Killed #3
We are back in The Undertow this month to talk Kill Or Be Killed #3 and give an update on all the new Brubaker/Phillips news including the deluxe edition of The Fade Out and the debut of HBO's Westworld. Also, recommendations for the month from Robert and Bubba are the new comic The Black Monday Murders and the sci-fi film Ex Machina.
Nov 13, 201601:00:25
Episode 5 - Kill Or Be Killed #2
Topic for this episode is Kill or Be Killed #2, the latest issue in the new monthly series from Brubaker and Phillips where we find out more about Dylan's childhood. Plus, we've got some great film recommendations this month from Robert and Bubba.
Oct 10, 201658:02
Episode 4-Kill Or Be Killed #1
In this episode, we talk Kill or Be Killed #1, the new Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips series that premiered last month from Image Comics. Our monthly recommendations include the 2015 New England horror film The Witch and the classic noir novel, The Postman Always Rings Twice.
Sep 01, 201659:43
Episode 3-Talking Velvet in The Undertow
Bubba and Robert break down Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting's spy espionage comic Velvet. Recommendations from the crew this month are Chew and Lazarus, both published by Image Comics.
Aug 01, 201601:12:27
Episode 2-An Undertow tribute to Darwyn Cooke
In this episode, Robert and Bubba visit The Undertow to pay tribute to the late cartoonist Darwyn Cooke, who collaborated with Ed Brubaker on Catwoman and adapted Richard Stark's Parker books in a series of graphic novels. Recommendations this month include the new Image book The Fix and Shane Black's latest film The Nice Guys.
Jun 29, 201601:18:02
Episode 1-Criminal 10th Anniversary Special
The official first episode of The Undertow Podcast dedicated to the crime comics of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. In this episode, Robert and Bubba spend an evening in The Undertow discussing the 10th Anniversary one-shot Criminal comic released in April, the latest issue of Velvet, and some recommended reading.
May 08, 201601:02:16
The Undertow Podcast Episode 0
This is Episode 0 of The Undertow Podcast. Not a real polished affair, just a dry run exploring the format and different ideas we are tossing around before our official launch.
Apr 20, 201629:08