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Get ready for some black-and-white mayhem that’s more chaotic than trying to untangle Christmas lights while wearing oven mitts! This week on Play Comics, we’re diving headfirst into the wonderfully ridiculous world of Spy vs Spy for the original Xbox—the 2005 game that took MAD Magazine’s iconic feuding spies and somehow convinced them to blow each other up in glorious 3D.

This delightfully deranged espionage extravaganza comes courtesy of the twisted minds at Vicious Cycle Software, who apparently looked at the classic NES version and thought, “You know what this needs? More explosions and better graphics!” Whether you’re here for the nostalgic callback to those legendary MAD TV shorts or you just enjoy watching cartoon spies meet their doom in increasingly creative ways, this episode promises to deliver more backstabbing action than a corporate boardroom during budget season.

Joining us for this masterclass in mutual assured destruction are two absolute legends from the podcasting world: Anthony Sytko and Doc Issues, the brilliant minds behind Capes on the Couch. When they’re not busy psychoanalyzing superheroes and providing much-needed therapy to fictional characters who definitely have trust issues, these two bring their expertise in comic psychology to help us understand why watching two spies repeatedly murder each other is somehow deeply satisfying.

So dust off that original Xbox controller, practice your best evil laugh, and prepare for an episode that’s guaranteed to be more explosive than a briefcase full of dynamite left by your nemesis. We’ll explore whether this modern take on the classic formula captured the essence of those timeless comic strips, or if it just left us feeling like we’d been caught in one of the White Spy’s elaborate traps.Continue Reading

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Holy cowl-wearing console catastrophe, comic crusaders! This week on Play Comics we’re grappling-hooking our way into the surprisingly deep shadows of 2005’s Batman Begins video game – because apparently someone at Eurocom looked at Christopher Nolan’s gritty reboot and thought, “You know what this needs? A fear meter and the ability to summon actual bats to terrify thugs into submission!”

Released across more platforms than Batman has traumatic childhood memories, this movie tie-in somehow managed to land on PS2, Xbox, GameCube, and Game Boy Advance without completely embarrassing itself in the process. While most movie games crash and burn faster than if I tried to drive the Batmobile, this stealth-action adventure actually tried to do something interesting with its “High Frequency Transponder” gadget and environmental intimidation mechanics that made enemies drop their weapons in sheer terror.

Joining us for this digital descent into Gotham’s criminal underworld is the incredibly talented Wells Thompson, creative mastermind behind indie comic sensations and the brilliant mind that helped bring us The Scorpion and the Queen (among a bunch of other Kickstarter projects) and the force over at WellsThompson.com. Wells brings his unique perspective on comic storytelling and adaptations to help us figure out whether this game captured the essence of both the Dark Knight’s origin story and Nolan’s cinematic vision, or if it belongs in Arkham Asylum alongside the rest of the movie tie-in disasters.

From the surprisingly robust stealth segments that actually rewarded patience over button-mashing, to those Batmobile sequences that had us questioning our life choices, we’ll explore how this Eurocom-developed title managed to be the last Batman movie to get a proper video game adaptation – and whether that’s a good thing or a tragedy. So grab your utility belt and join us as we investigate whether fear really is the best weapon, or if this game should have stayed in the cave where it belongs!Continue Reading

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Hold onto your utility belts and prepare for maximum overdrive, because this week on Play Comics we’re crash-landing straight into the chaotic world of Teen Titans for PS2, Xbox, and GameCube – a game that somehow managed to capture the essence of being a superhero teenager while simultaneously making you question whether saving the world is worth the carpel tunnel. Released in 2006, this beat-’em-up bonanza promised players the chance to live out their fantasies of being part of the most dysfunctional yet lovable superhero team this side of Titans Tower.

Joining us for this digital adventure through Jump City’s finest is none other than Eilish Pickitt from my friendly neighborhood comic shop – a true connoisseur of all things four-color and someone who’s probably seen more comic-to-game adaptations crash and burn than a Cyborg system malfunction. Together, we’ll dive deep into whether this particular pixelated punch-fest managed to do justice to the beloved Cartoon Network series that ran from 2003 to 2006, or if it ended up being more disappointing than Beast Boy’s attempt at stand-up comedy.

From Robin’s acrobatic staff-spinning to Raven’s dark magic mayhem, this game promised to let you switch between all five Titans in real-time while delivering the kind of cooperative chaos that only comes from trying to coordinate a superhero team where one member transforms into animals and another shoots laser beams from her eyes. Whether you’re here for the nostalgic trip back to simpler times when the biggest worry was whether Starfire would accidentally destroy the kitchen again, or you’re just curious about how well this adaptation stacked up against the source material, grab your communicator and settle in.

This episode is guaranteed to be more entertaining than watching Cyborg try to explain why his breakfast took up half the grocery budget, and definitely more coherent than trying to follow Beast Boy’s logic during a heated argument about tofu.Continue Reading

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Holy Kryptonian catastrophe, comic crusaders! This week on Play Comics, we’re diving headfirst into the digital dumpster fire that is Superman: Countdown to Apokolips for the Game Boy Advance – because apparently someone thought the best way to honor Superman: The Animated Series was to trap the Man of Steel in a tiny screen prison with graphics that make MS Paint look like the Sistine Chapel.

Released in 2003 by the brave souls at Mistic Software (after poor Crawfish Interactive literally died during development – talk about your occupational hazards!), this isometric adventure promised to let players soar through Metropolis while battling Livewire, Metallo, and the fashion disaster known as Kalibak. What it actually delivered was a gaming experience so punishing that even Darkseid would file a complaint with customer service.

Joining us for this digital descent into madness is Adam Maresh from my local shop back when he lived by me – a man who’s seen more comic-to-game adaptations crash and burn than a rejected Justice League movie pitch. Together, we’ll explore how this GBA “gem” managed to score a whopping 45% on GameRankings and somehow convinced IGN to give it a 4.5/10 (which in retrospect feels generous).

So grab your emergency kryptonite antidote and prepare for an episode that’s more fun than actually playing the game – which, let’s face it, isn’t exactly setting the bar stratospheric. Will Superman’s portable adventure redeem itself through sheer nostalgic charm, or will it crash harder than a Daily Planet exclusive? Tune in to find out if this animated series tie-in belongs in the Fortress of Solitude… or the Phantom Zone!Continue Reading

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Prepare for takeoff, fellow gamers! This week on Play Comics, we’re blasting off into the world of Robotech: Battlecry, where you can pilot a Veritech fighter and save the universe while trying not to crash into your own nostalgia! Join us as we follow Jack Archer on his epic quest to defend Earth from those pesky Zentraedi, all while dodging missiles and mastering the art of transforming from jet to robot (and back again) without losing our lunch.

Joining the mission is none other than SP Rupert from The Gonna Geek Show, Legends of S.H.I.E.L.D. d Better Podcasting, and Artie’s Attic, bringing his signature wit and insight to help us navigate the skies of nostalgia and questionable early-2000s graphics. Will we earn our medals, or will the Zentraedi laugh us out of orbit? Tune in to find out! Or don’t, it’s not like you’re going to start an intergalactic space war or anything……..Continue Reading

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Dive into the depths of gaming nostalgia with this week’s episode of Play Comics, where we’re making waves with “Aquaman: Battle for Atlantis”! Grab your tridents and prepare for a splash of humor as we explore this Xbox and GameCube gem that’s more waterlogged than a sponge in a tsunami.

Our special guest, Anne Brennaman from The Comics Collective podcast, joins us to help navigate the choppy waters of this aquatic adventure. Together, we’ll uncover how the game drew inspiration from Peter David’s legendary run on Aquaman Vol 5, proving that even the King of Atlantis can’t escape the siren call of ’90s comic book glory.

So, put on your best scale-mail armor and get ready to plumb the depths of this fishy tale. Will it be a pearl of gaming wisdom or just another barnacle on the hull of superhero game history? Tune in to find out – and remember, friends don’t let friends play underwater without a buddy system!Continue Reading

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Ladies and gentlemen, brace yourselves for a super-powered episode of Play Comics that’ll have you faster than a speeding bullet and more powerful than a locomotive! This week, we’re diving into the pixelated world of “Superman: The Man of Steel” for Xbox, a game that’s more connected to the comics than Lois Lane is to trouble.

Joining us on this Kryptonian adventure is none other than Doc Issues from Capes on the Couch, here to analyze whether this entry in Superman’s mixed bag of gaming endeavors is a heroic triumph or a Kryptonite-level disaster. We’ll explore how this game draws inspiration from the contemporary Superman comics, with a special focus on the “Superman: Y2K” storyline that turned Metropolis into a futuristic wonderland faster than you can say “Great Caesar’s ghost!”

So grab your cape, adjust your glasses, and get ready to leap tall buildings in a single bound as we uncover whether this Xbox title is truly worthy of the Man of Steel’s iconic ‘S’ shield. It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… another episode of Play Comics!Continue Reading

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Welcome to another episode of Play Comics, where we dive into the pixelated world of superheroes and their digital escapades! This week, we’re strapping on our capes and booting up our Game Boy Advances to tackle Justice League: Injustice for All. Based on the beloved Justice League Unlimited cartoon, this game lets you step into the boots of your favorite heroes, even if the gameplay sometimes feels like it’s stuck in the Phantom Zone.

Joining us for this heroic journey is the illustrious AJ Malacarne from Gamma Head Press. Known for their penchant for the absurd and psychedelic storytelling, AJ brings a unique perspective to our discussion. Will they find the game as thrilling as a battle with Darkseid, or as perplexing as The Riddler’s latest scheme? Tune in to find out!

So grab your Batarang, call in your sidekicks, and prepare for a supercharged episode that promises more twists and turns than a Luthor-led plot. Let’s see if Injustice for All can truly do justice to the Justice League!Continue Reading

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Holy podcast, Batman! This week on Play Comics we’re diving into the shadowy world of Gotham with a game that’s as elusive as the Riddler’s puzzles and as intense as a Batmobile chase. Get ready to explore Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu, a game that swooped onto the PS2, Xbox, Gamecube, and Game Boy Advance bringing with it a whirlwind of caped crusading action with an original story set in the legendary world of Batman: The Animated Series.

Joining us once again is the Dark Knight of comic book gaming knowledge, Blair Farrell from Comic Book Video Games. Blair’s back in the Batcave to help us unravel the mysteries of this unique title and its connections to the animated world of Gotham’s finest. Is Sin Tzu the villain we never knew we needed, or just another face in the rogues’ gallery? Tune in to find out and maybe learn a Bat-fact or two along the way!

So grab your utility belt and prepare for a night in Gotham like no other. Whether you’re a seasoned Bat-fan or just here for the gadgets and gizmos, this episode promises to be a bat-tastic adventure you won’t want to miss!Continue Reading

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Holy glitchy gameplay, Batman! In this electrifying episode of Play Comics, we’re diving deep into the murky waters of Batman: Dark Tomorrow, the Gamecube and Xbox game that had fans scratching their heads and controllers flying across the room. Based on the contemporary Batman comics of its time, this game had all the makings of a classic—dark, brooding atmosphere, a complex storyline, and our favorite caped crusader. But did it live up to the hype, or did it fall into the depths of Gotham’s sewers?

Joining us on this bat-tastic journey is none other than Robert Fitton from the Storymoders podcast. Robert brings his storytelling expertise to help us unravel the tangled web of this game’s narrative and mechanics. Get ready for a rollercoaster of laughs, insights, and maybe a few bat-signals of distress as we explore what went right and oh-so-wrong with Batman: Dark Tomorrow. Buckle up, Bat-fans—this is one episode you won’t want to miss!
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Welcome back, Super-fans and comic connoisseurs, to another electrifying episode of Play Comics! This week, we’re diving headfirst into the pixelated world of Superman: Shadow of Apokolips, the game that lets you don the cape and tights of the Last Son of Krypton himself. Released on the GameCube and PS2, this gem is based on the iconic Superman: The Animated Series, and trust us it’s more fun than a barrel of Kryptonite!

Joining us in the Fortress of Solitude is none other than Anthony Sytko from the podcast Capes on the Couch. Anthony’s here to help us dissect this game faster than a speeding bullet and to share his super-insights on what makes this title soar—or crash-land like a Kryptonian spaceship.

So grab your capes, tighten your spandex, and get ready for a supercharged episode that’s sure to leave you feeling more powerful than a locomotive. Whether you’re a fan of the animated series, a gaming guru, or just here for the witty banter, this episode has something for everyone. Up, up, and away!Continue Reading

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What makes someone a villain? And once you get that label in people’s head what can happen to get that label removed or switched? It’s tough. You’ve got to change minds and deal with people who will never forget your past no matter how much good you do now and will always treat you like the villain that they see you as.

Well, we have Blair Farrell here to help figure out where that line is as we take a look at the 1999 Catwoman game for Gameboy Color. And long the way we’ll try to figure out if Catwoman has made amends for her previous criminal deeds or if she still has work to do to win us over.

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Batman is one of the most well know superheroes around despite the fact that he’s not really a superhero when you break the term down. Don’t care, still love him. And that little used fact in games where he’s a pretty good detective.

Good thing we have Matt and Thad from Making Nerds Cringe here to help unravel the mystery of Batman Vengeance. Listen in as we take a look at this Batman the Animated Series (?) inspired game and all the fun that goes with it.Continue Reading

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As one of the most compassionate characters in comics Wonder Woman is going to try to save everyone. But what happens when the person she decides needs saving is a literal bringing of destruction and threatens the lives of everyone else?Continue Reading

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We’re never going to get away from Batman are we? Oh well, at least Chaos in Gotham is based on everyone’s favorite Batman animated series. And Batman might possibly have one of the best rogue galleries in comics so you’ve got to think something could be pulled off here.

Good thing we’ve got Erin from Girls Talk Comics to come help us look into the situation. So suit up, because this is a fun one.

This Episode is brought to you in part by Alex Schumacher, SLG Publishing, and Mr. Butterchips.

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Alright, so we’ve looked at a lot of Batman. Like a lot. So let’s take a look at future Batman. Except not Bruce because it’s the future and Bruce is old and tired, you know, all the other things that old people are.

Listen in as Dan and Jake McMahon from DC Supersons come on the show to talk about Batman Beyond, the future of super heroing, and fuzzy good boys.Continue Reading

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You knew this day was coming. Eventually we had to get to Superman 64. Flying around through rings, horrible time limits, battling Lex Luthor in an arena of his making. What can we say about this game that hasn’t already been said?Listen in as Kyle Federline and Karrington Martin give it a shot as we look at this N64 classic. I promise, we actually have good things to say about it.Continue Reading

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Superman can’t really be stopped by normal bad guys, we’ve established that. But what happens when Lex Luthor decides to really go after him? Oh, we’ve done that too? Ummmm, so what happens this time? It’s comics after all, so we know he isn’t really going anywhere.

Listen in as Dan McMahon from DC Supersons comes on the show to take a look at a Gameboy exclusive title based on the 1990s animated series. Yeah, that’s what we’re going with for this one. It says so on the box so it must be trueContinue Reading

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Batman and Robin is the last of the 1990s Batman movies, and maybe for good reason. The movie was not all too well received. It didn’t really fit the tone of the preview two 90s Batman movies. And yet it still had a game come out for it. A year after the movie, but it still happened.Listen in as Chris and guest Billy from CommanderCast admit that this is their favorite of the 90s Batman movies and take a look at the tie in game that came with it.Continue Reading

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Batman the Animated Series is apparently a huge part of a ton of childhoods. Except mine, because I somehow kept missing it. But from giving characters much better back stories to creating a few characters that we couldn’t imagine not having today to just being objectively awesome, it’s an important part of today’s Batman culture.So of course it had a game to go with it. You know, besides the Gameboy title that it actually shared a name with the series. Listen in as Chris Sims from War Rocket Ajax, The ISB, and writer of some Marvel things comes to talk about a wonderful pair of Batman games, and a few others that exist.Continue Reading